NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 6 – World 800m champion Mary Moraa, Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Wiseman Were and the world 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Beatrice Chepkoech are among 52 athletes named in the Kenyan team to the African Games in Accra.
The naming of the team was the culmination of competitive national trials held at Nyayo Stadium since Tuesday, which was followed by close to four hours of intense deliberations among selectors.
Congratulating the athletes, Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei to leave nothing to chance and win all medals on offer.
“We know that you are going to do well. You have done well in the past in the All Africa Games and I know you are going to do even better this time round in Ghana,” Tuwei said.
Kenya has won the lion’s share of medals in the 58-year history of the games as far as athletics is concerned.
Tuwei notified the team that all eyes will be on them once again and urged them to represent the country well on and off the track and field.
“We know that most of you are going there for the first time. Go there and represent us well and bring back every medal that is there. All the other countries are waiting for you there,” he said.
The national trials got off to a stormy start on Tuesday morning when athletes refused to compete, protesting the former selection criteria in which only one competitor per category would be picked.
AK had based the criteria on a quota of 30 athletes that it had received from the Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC).
The team have been handed over to the Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC) and are scheduled to enter residential training camp on Sunday.
MEN:
Cornelius Kemboi (5000m); Francis Abong Koumwa and Evans Keitany Kiptum (10,000m); Edwin Kimutai Too (decathlon); Samuel Gathimba and Dominic Ndigiti (20km walk); Asbel Kiprop Kemboi (high jump); Gilbert Pkemoi (triple jump); Dominic Abunda (hammer); Julius
Yego and Alexander Kiprotich (javelin); Panuel Mkungo (semi marathon); Hesbon Ochieng and Stephen Odhiambo (100m); Wiseman Were (110m hurdles); Samuel Chege and Dan Kiviasi (200m); Kennedy Kimeu and David Sanayek (400m); Kipkorir Rotich and Nicholas Kiplimo (400m hurdles); Alex Kipngetich and Aaron Kemei (800m); Brian Komen and Abel Kipsang (1500m); Amos Serem, Simon Koech and Edmund Serem (3000m steeplechase)
WOMEN:
Beatrice Chepkoech and Mary Mananu (5000m); Janeth Chepngetich (10,000m); Emily Ngii and Sylvia Kemboi (20km walk); Zeddy Jesire (high jump); Winny Bii (triple jump); Roseline Nyanchama (hammer); Damacline Mwango (javelin); Nancy Chepleting (semi marathon); Esther Mbagari and Eunice Kadogo (100m); Rukia Nusra (100m hurdles); Milicent Ndoro (200m); Mary Moraa (400m); Vanice Kerubo and Rahab Wanjiru (400m hurdles); Vivian Kiprotich and Lilian Odira (800m); Mary Nyaruai and Lydia Jeruto (1500m); Caren Chebet and Purity Kirui (3000m steeplechase).
