This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
Kenya's young athletics team has made a remarkable impression at the 12th African Games in Morocco, finishing seventh overall with a total of 31 medals.
According to Coach Julius Kirwa, the team's performance was a testament to the dedication and hard work of the athletes, who were eager to learn and do well.
"We fielded a young team of athletes who were eager to learn and do well. We trained them and made them know they were carrying hopes of millions of Kenyans, and they posted good results," Kirwa said upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The team, which included junior athletes, won 11 gold medals, 10 silver, and 10 bronze medals, with Team Captain Julius Yego expressing satisfaction with the team's performance.
"We are so happy to be back home as a glorious team. I had promised President Uhuru Kenyatta that I will win gold in Rabat and I’m happy I have fulfilled that promise," Yego said.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei urged the youngsters to resist the temptation to switch to road races at a young age, citing the potential for damage to their bodies.
"You may do damage to your body early in your career when you run road races at a young age," Tuwei warned.
Kenya's Sports Principal Secretary, Karimi Kaberia, also made a commitment to improve the treatment of national teams before international assignments, promising to pay athletes' allowances 14 days before departure.
"We will not allow embarrassment of our athletes again. Fourteen days before departure, all issues to do with allowances payable to athletes will be sorted out," Kaberia said.
The 12th African Games, held in Morocco, saw Kenya participate in various sports, including athletics, boxing, volleyball, beach volleyball, taekwondo, cycling, and swimming, among others.
