Athletics Kenya will select a strong team for this year’s Africa Under-20 championships set for Oran, Algeria, as well as next year’s Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.
Speaking on Sunday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while receiving the triumphant under-18 and under-20 teams from the just concluded Eastern Africa Championships in Zanzibar, AK director of youth Barnaba Korir, said they will focus and invest more funds in the youth programmes and conduct competitive trials to select the best athletes.
“And the structures and the plans that this team has can be seen now through the camps and partnerships with the schools that we have very closely worked together to ensure that the continuity will help them in the future as they prepare for competitions. 2028 is not far. It’s about three and a half years, almost four years, to the 2028 Olympics,“said Korir.
Head coach John Ilovi hailed the team’s performance, adding that they are shifting their focus to the Africa Under athletics championships set for Oran, Algeria, in July.
“We have even spoken to these athletes, and we want the majority of them to be in our team for the African Championship in Algeria. Despite taking a lean team, we are impressed that every athlete won a medal.” Said Ilovi
Korir also challenged athletes to embrace education by taking up available scholarship opportunities to further their education as well as sports.
“I am a product of the US scholarship system through sports, and that’s why I am urging athletes and parents to ensure they invest also in education. For instance, Doricah Isoe, who was part of the U18, has secured a scholarship in the USA, and that’s what we want to continue with for many of our young athletes.” Korir added
The team of 14 athletes emerged as overall champions in Zanzibar with a total of 21 medals: 12 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze.
The under-18 team also emerged champions with 7 gold, 3 silver, and a bronze, while their under-20 counterparts took 2nd position behind Uganda with 5 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
Uganda finished overall 2nd with 9 gold medals, 11 silver, and 6 bronze, with host Zanzibar finishing 3rd with 6 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze.
