This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
With barely two weeks to go before the African Games in Morocco, Kenya's athletics team has converged at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani for residential training. The team will be based at the Moi International Sports Centre and will reside at the Roasters Hotel along Thika road.
According to reports, a total of 61 athletes were selected at the national trials held in June at the Moi International Sports Centre. The team has been boosted by the inclusion of world-class athletes who missed the trials.
Among the stars included in the team are Olympic and World 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto, who will team up with Benjamin Kigen and Joash Kiplimo. The 2015 World 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng has also been drafted into the team to partner World Steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and the fast-rising Mercy Wanjiru.
The team will be overseen by head coach Julius Kirwa, who will be in charge of the middle- and long-distance races. Stephen Mwaniki will take charge of the sprint team, while national shot-put record holder Elizabeth Olaba will oversee field events.
Kenya will be sending a contingent of 290 sportsmen in 22 disciplines to the African Games, with athletics having been allocated a significant number of slots. The championships will be held in four Moroccan cities – Rabat, Casablanca, El Jadida, and Khemisset – from August 19-31.
