AK ponders wild cards

Athletics Kenya might consider wild cards to some cases when the national team for the World Cross Country Championships is selected Saturday during the AK/KCB National Championships cum trials at Uhuru Gardens.

AK President Isaiah Kiplagat said that there could be athletes who have performed well in IAAF Cross Country Permit Meetings in Europe but fail to clinch a place during the trials owing to various reasons.

Kiplagat added that something could also happen in camp while athletes were training to necessitate changes in the team.

“We have been monitoring our athletes both locally and internationally and most have posted good performances but anything can happen before Saturday or even after selection,” Kiplagat said.

“Mark you, we shall have longer camping period and injuries can occur hence wild cards can be of great importance.” Kiplagat, who was speaking during the launch of this year’s championships that doubles as the IAAF permit meet, allayed any fears of Kenya taking a weak side especially in senior women’s event at the World Cross due March 24 in Bydgoszcz, Poland after the withdrawal of Vivian Cheruiyot and Linet Masai, who took the 1-2 positions in 2011 Punta Umbria.

Vivian opts out

Cheruiyot has opted to concentrate on track as she prepares to defend her 5,000m and 10,000m titles at the World Championships coming up in August in Moscow while Masai is injured.

World Cross junior titleholder, Geoffrey Kipsang, who won the Kenya Police senior men’s 12km trials, has also pulled out but will Friday battle at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates.

“We have been monitoring our athletes and we are confident we shall pick a strong team capable of fitting in Vivian and Linet’s spikes,” Kiplagat said.

“I want to assure you even before they came to being winners there were others who had triumphed and we believe our reservoir is deep.”

Kiplagat noted that the KCB sponsorship had gone a long way in improving standards of athletics in the country.

“Athletes have been able to prepare adequately and have gone on to win many international events. Athletes not taking part in cross country have found it difficult abroad hence of necessity to take part in the country series,” said Kiplagat.

“It’s because of our partnership with KCB that these programmes have continued to succeed.”

Kiplagat said Kenya is capable of replicating the 2010 Bydgoszcz World Cross performance by winning eight out of eight gold medals again.

KCB Group chief executive officer Joshua Oigara said their involvement with athletics for the last six years has been rewarding.

“We recognise sports are a huge agenda in terms for development, socially and economically for our youth. We appreciate the role youth play and AK for putting our country forward,” said Oigara.   

AK secretary general David Okeyo said plans for the championships are complete and fireworks beckon with splendid performances expected from the athletes.