After making their international debut at the International Schools Sports Federation (ISF) Cross Country championships earlier this year, Ivy Jepkosgei and Samuel Otuta have set their ambitions to climb higher come next year.
Based at the Plateau Athletics Kenya Youth Training camp in Uasin Gishu County, Jepkosgei said that she has hopes of representing Kenya in major championships come next year especially at the Africa Cross country championships as well as the Africa under 18.
“We are here to train with colleagues by sharpening our skills ahead of major events in the new year. Apart from competing at school championships, we shall open doors for us to compete at the global level,” said Jepkosgei, who will be joining grade 7 come next at the Tingwa Primary school.
During the trials in Nakuru at the Nakuru High school, she managed to finish in position ten, the same position she finished in during the ISF championships at the Ngong Racecourse.
Competing in 1.2km loop, the under 12 race was won by Kenyan Sheila Chepkosgei (3:53.2) where Kenya won all top ten positions. Jepkosgei managed position ten after timing 4:09.11
Heading in grade 9nnext year at Kuinet School, Otuta said that the ISF opened the doors for him and wants more come next year.
The man who compete in 2.2km in the under 15 category said that the camp has shaped his talent in readiness for bigger stag.
“I came here with a purpose of improving and that is what I am doing so far. I want to make the team to compete in Africa and across,” said Otuta who wants to compete in the 5,000m and 10,000m in future.
He clocked 11:08.6 to finish in position 9 in a race won by Peter Lomuryon Pangai at 10:18.6.
The Athletics Kenya junior head coach Robert Ngisirei said that the country and the world should expect a tough competition from Kenyans who have shaped their skills in various camps placed across the country.
Increased to 54, Ngisirei said that all those in the camps have been subjected to competitive events like school both primary and secondary championships as well Athletics Kenya meetings across the country.
“We are expecting to have a very competitive group of athletes who have been hatched from these camps. As we speak, all those in camps have faced various competitions and majority of them are up there hoping to do the same,” said Ngisirei.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mgisirei managed to criss cross seven camps based in north rift. According to the statistics, over 200 athletes were in the camps.
Nandi County has Kapsisiywo with the highest number of 50 athletes, 31 girls and 19 boys, All4Shoe Running has similar numbers with 29 girls and 21 boys. Kaptien with 30 athletes with 18 and 12 girls and boys while Kapkoimur had 45 athletes with 23 girls and 22 boys.
Simat, Lelmolok, Koiwoarusen and Plateau in Uasin Gishu county, all had 30 athletes with Simat carrying 17 girls and 13 boys, Plateau with 18 girls and 12 boys while Koiwoarusen has 19 girls and 11 boys.