Approximately 419 athletes from across the world are set to face off at the International Schoos,Sports Federation (ISF) World Schools Cross Country championships this weekend at the Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi.
Today, the ISF president Laurent Petrynka arrived in the country ahead of the event where the supersonic speed with 419 participants from 22 countries already registered for the one-day event.
The countries that have thus far sent their representatives include hosts Kenya, Chile, Uganda, Qatar, China, England, Ireland, Morocco, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Namibia, Mexico, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Nigeria, Croatia, Turkey, Luxembourg and Uganda.
Delegations from these countries have started arriving in the country with Chile expected to dock at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday night.
Their arrival was preceded by that of the International Schools Federation (ISF) president Laurent Petrynka, who spearhead’s the global governing body for school sports.
The Frenchman is part of a high-powered delegation that will be spectating Saturday’s competition, which will be held on African soil for the second time since 2000 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Countries expected to arrive tomorrow (Thursday) include Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Italy and England.
Medals will be up for grabs across three categories of competition including Under 12, Under 15 and Under 18 (boys and girls).
Hosts Kenya boast the largest contingent of athletes (60), followed by East African neighbours Tanzania who have 29 athletes.