Junior athletes from St Peters Keberesi, Kiendege, and Riooga athletics training camps have been training for the last three weeks with the three Athletics Kenya camps.
East Africa Secondary Schools 800m champion Dorca Isoe said: “I want to thank the government and AK for this camp. The training has helped us remain in shape ahead of next season.” She is keen to put a good performance during the cross-country event.
“Being at home, we want to put our best foot forward. We want to represent our county and camp well during the event,” said Isoe popularly known as Kante.
Coach Dennis Nyabuto said: “We have 53 athletes in this camp against the allocation of 40. We have athletes here who have represented Kenya nationally and internationally at various events.”
At Riooga in Nyamira County, the athletes have been training under several coaches led by former long-distance runner Thomas Osano. Osano is upbeat that the camp’s athletes will do well in the cross-country event.
“Even though most of our athletes are sprinters, we have a couple of talented middle and long-distance athletes. We have trained them and they are looking forward to the Betika Cross Country,” said Osano.
Osano spoke to reporters when Athletics Kenya Youth Committee member Marylyn Lasoi visited the camp. She also visited Kiendege and Keberesi camps. Osano said they were given a quota of 40 but 90 turned up. “I want to make a special appeal to Athletics Kenya to increase our quota because it is very difficult to turn away athletes once they turn up,” said Osano.
At Kiendege Secondary, the camp’s coordinator Peter Oenga said: “We shall release these athletes on Saturday. We expect them back on the 27th to continue for the cross-country preparations.”
Steeplechaser Winawine Orwoba said: “Since we started training here, we have improved tremendously and we want to thank those who have made it possible.”
The school’s principal Bethwel Omoke said the institution will specialize in training athletes only. “We have many talented young men and women. However, we want to specialize in athletics because,” he added.
Lasoi said AK organized the camps to train athletes ahead of next year’s Africa U18/20 championships. “I want to specifically thank the management of Riooga for accommodating more athletes than the given quota. AK and the Ministry of Sports will continue to sponsor these camps,” she added