Athletics assured, Kenya casts net wider for medals

• Twelve-edition veteran nation to enter 120 athletes in 14 different disciplines in Delhi, including those the country is not known for

Four years ago, Kenya confirmed to the world that whenever it competes at an international competition there is always something new, and faster, that comes up.

The world had better accept that in boxing, rugby sevens, middle distance and endurance terms they are likely to be faster and better than anything the opposition is likely to produce.

In 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Australia, it was the chance of Janeth Jepkosgei to blossom. Two years later, at the Beijing Olympics, two prodigies – Pamela Jelimo and Nancy Jebet Lagat – emerged. And in Berlin World Championship it was time for Abel Kirui and Vivian Cheruiyot.

Now the question lingers as to who will sprout to claim the ‘new sensation’ tag in Delhi as Kenya prepares for the 19th edition of the Club Games in India.

In 1920 Kenya became a British colony and four decades later, in 1963, the country gained its independence and joined the Commonwealth. The country has since competed in the 1954, 1958, and 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and is now a veteran of 12 attendances with a total of 144 medals, 53 of them gold.

Main provider of medals

Athletics and boxing have for a long time remained Kenya’s main provider of medals at international championships and next month’s Games will not be different.

Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania have selected the maximum 10 boxers for the event. Africa will have 18 boxing teams while Europe and Oceania are a distant second in the entry list with 45 each.

In Melbourne, Kenya participated in a number of events and secured six gold, five silver and seven bronze medals. It finished tenth overall with 18 medals.

President Mwai Kibaki honoured and rewarded the winners upon their return home. Each gold medallist got a cheque of Sh500,000 as silver winners pocketed Sh300,000 each. A bronze medal fetched Sh200,000 for the winner while a token of Sh10,000 went out to each one of the team members.

The athletes won gold in both the men’s and women’s events – including the men’s 5,000m, 3,000m Steeplechase and 800m races. Women participants managed to win 5,000m, 800m and 10,000m.

Kenya was also the recipient of silver medals in both men’s and women’s marathon races.

Three disciplines stand out

Apart from athletics, Kenya also won bronze medals in boxing.

Francis K Paul, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) secretary-general, said they expect to enter about 120 athletes in 14 different disciplines. However, three stand out: track and field, boxing, and swimming.