The journey for the 2024 International Schools Federation (ISF) World Schools Cross country for Primary schools starts in earnest this Friday when all counties will be staging their championships.
Speaking on Tuesday during the clinic for official that will oversee the track and field events come Friday at the University of Eldoret Secondary school ground, Uasin Gishu chairman Paul Tororei said that they are preparing some athletes that will not only represent his county at the region and national but at the ISF championships come May.
“Our aim is to come up with a strong team that will run all the way to the World Cross Country for schools. Our focus is not just at the county, regional and national but international,” said Tororei.
He said that the over 160 teachers who had come for the clinic for the empowerment, might be able to get a chance to officiate in top events in the country and the coming ISF World Cross Country for School.
“We have a t least one and a half months for the ISF champions. This team will also be part of the world cross country for schools. As a host nation, we have the ability to produce both athletes and officials,” said Tororei.
On Monday, the ministry of Education announced the changes for the ISF Cross country for schools. Initially, the championships had been slated for May 10th to 15th, will now be held between May 9th to 14th and will feature athletes who are Under -18, Under-15 and under-12 with participants will mainly be drawn from primary and secondary schools.
“We want to empower them with knowledge so that they can officiate in all the events,” he said.
In the primary school category, the pupils will be competing in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and 3,000m for both girls and boys but with the introduction of Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) Junior Secondary will have more events.
“Apart from the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and 3,000m for primary schools, the Junior Secondary school pupils will have additional events like the 5,000m, handball, basketball and swimming for both boys and girls,” said Tororei.
He said that as the chairman, he expects very organized and successful county champions.
“We want to select a good team that will represent the country at the regional in Maralal, Samburu come April 1st to 4th,” he said.
In a communiqué from the ministry of Education signed by Principal Secretary Nelson Sifuna indicated that the championships have been rescheduled.
“Kenya will be hosting the 2024 International Schools Federation (ISF) World Schools Championships at Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi from 9th-14th May 2024. Due to the team reputation, deadline, MoE has organized team selection trials to be held on 27th to 28th March 2024 at Nakuru High school,” read part of the statement.
With the communication, the relevant authorities have been ordered to present the athletes on time for the trails ahead of the championships.
“This is therefore to invite the 2024 regional championships in cross country (six per category) under 12, under 15 and under 18. Kindly fast track the cross country cross country calendar for the availability of the team for the national duty. The top ten (10) finishers in each category will qualify for the confirmation into team Kenya,” concluded the communiqué.
This is the first time the World Schools Cross Country Championships is being held in Africa.