This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Keringet Athletics Training Camp in Nakuru County is one of the many sports facilities that have been badly affected.
Located in Kuresoi South, the camp was planning to start its second training schedule from April 12 to 26, ahead of the World Under-20 Championships at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, from July 7 to 12.
However, due to the government's directive to observe social distance and prevent the spread of the virus, the camp has been forced to stop training.
Some of the notable athletes from the camp who were hoping to make the Kenyan team include World Under-20 1,500 metres silver medallist Edna Jebitok, Africa Under-18 3,000m champion Zenah Chemutai, and silver medallist Deborah Jemutai.
Other notable names from the camp include Viola Chepkirui (3,000m) and Maureen Cherotich (1,500m) in the women's category, and Benson Sigei (5,000m), Michael Kibon (400m), Nehemiah Kimutai (5,000m), Dennis Kirui (3,000m), and Steven Masindet (800m) in the men's category.
Some of the junior runners from the camp who have donned the national team colours include Kipkemoi Misoi (3,000m steeplechase) and Benjamin Kipkurui, who represented Kenya in the 1998 World Junior Championships in France.
According to camp coordinator David Bii, the athletes were looking forward to making the team but their hopes have been put on hold due to the pandemic.
The camp, which was started by the late Livingstone Kimutai Ng'etich in 1998, has produced talented runners in junior and youth competitions.
Under head coach Charles Ng'eno, assisted by Charles Ngau and Mike Koskei, the camp has produced notable athletes such as reigning Olympics 1,500m champion Faith Chepng'etich, former World and London Marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui, and World 800m bronze medallist Ferguson Rotich.
However, the camp's training ground has been reduced to a grazing ground, and athletes are forced to train on tarmac roads, which is not advisable from a health perspective.
According to Bii, the county government has set aside Sh50 million for upgrading the training camp, but nothing much has been done apart from acquiring documents of the 20 acres of land on which the camp sits.
"The county government should speed up the construction of the athletics complex and this will help churn out more talents in the region," said Bii.
Published on May 17, 2020
