Kenyan youth dominate in Uganda

Kenya dominated the two-day Eastern African Athletics Youth Championships that ended on Saturday in Kampala, Uganda, hauling 12 gold medals.

In a show of might, Kenyan boys virtually swept all the gold medals, winning 12 out of 13 events, including 1-2 finishes in 100m, 200m, 400m and the 2000m steeplechase.

The only missed gold was in the 800m, which went to Ethiopia.

The Kenyan girls collected five goal medals after finding it rough especially in short races.

Despite sending a lean team of 29 athletes to the championships, Kenya retained the overall title with 15 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals. Uganda wound up second with five gold, 10 silver and three bronze, with Ethiopia coming in third with two gold and three bronze medals.

The most exciting wins for coach George Ogeto were in the boys in short races and field events. Ogeto was impressed by the promising talent by girls in the sprints who, however, didn’t win any of their races.

“What ultimately won for us was the high discipline exhibited by the youngsters. It was quite amazing,” said Ogeto.

Kenya’s Duke Ogoti was in fine form, tearing the field to shreds to claim the 100m title in 10.97, relegating compatriot Josephat Mutuku to silver in 11.29 seconds and Uganda’s Sam Kakaire to bronze in 11.49.

Another Kenyan, Josephat Ngeno, showed class with his sprightly legs, snatching both the 200m and 400m titles.

Ngeno clocked 22.12 seconds in 200m to shrug off Mutuku to second in 22.27 as Uganda’s Geoffrey Kidega (22.38) won bronze. Ngeno completed his brace with a scintillating 47.84 seconds in the 400m, where he stifled the challenge from fellow countryman Geoffrey Kipkoech (47.87) and Uganda’s Twaha Zawadi (50.00).