Kenya will send about 10 athletes for the 19th World Indoor Athletics Championships to be held in Nanjing, China, from 21st to 23rd this month.
Athletics Kenya Executive member Barnaba Korir has said, despite not having a strong contingent for the championships since its qualification were through ranking, they are optimistic it will serve as good preparations for the athletes who will represent the country, ahead of other events.
“We have selected a team of ten athletes majority of whom qualified through ranking, its not a strong team but we hope the selected will use it to prepare for their season, “said Korir
The team will be led by the 2022 World Indoor silver medalist Noah Kibet, 2023 African Games silver medalist Alex Ngeno, and Collins Kipruto, who will be competing in 800m.
Olympians Susan Ejore and Vivian Chebet will headline the women’s 800m team.
Another Olympian, Susan Ejore, will make her debut in the 1500m at the championship alongside Dorcas Kabloni, while Festus Lagat is the sole representative in the men’s 1500m race.
Last year’s African 5000m bronze medalist Cornelius Kemboi and Purity Kajuju will compete in the 3000m.
Kenya managed only a bronze medal in last year’s edition in Glascow, Scotland, won by 3,000msc World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech.
“Indoor championship is totally different our athletes rarely get opportunities to train in such facilities but we are hopeful they will give their best.”Korir added
Unlike last year, Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, won’t be competing in the 60m race as he focuses on the Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September.
