Sh120m at stake at weekend’s inaugural championships
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop leads James Magut and Nixon Chepseba (right) during training for the Bahamas World Relays Championship at Kasarani stadium on May 20, 2014. After a long, 24-hour journey from Nairobi, Kenya’s athletes to the inaugural IAAF World Relays Championships were expected in Nasau, Bahamas, on Thursday at midnight (Kenyan time).
What you need to know:
- With a day to acclimatise, officials optimistic team will overcome jet lag to post good results in Bahamas.
NASAU, Bahamas, Thursday
After a long, 24-hour journey from Nairobi, Kenya’s athletes to the inaugural IAAF World Relays Championships were expected in Nasau, Bahamas, on Thursday at midnight (Kenyan time).
The athletes left Nairobi in two groups on Wednesday night, with one group flying to Nassau via Paris and Miami, USA, and another to the Bahamas capital through Amsterdam and Atlanta, also in the USA.
Athletics Kenya Vice President David Okeyo and chief executive Isaac Mwangi, who travelled through Amsterdam with a group that included Africa’s fresh 3,000 metres record holder Hellen Obiri and continental cross-country champion Mercy Cherono, expressed confidence that the team would hit the ground running to shake off the jet lag from the long-haul flights.
“The journey is long but athletes are in high spirits and hope to do very well,” said Okeyo as the team transit through Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport.
WORLDWIDE TV AUDIENCE
“The athletes will have just a day to acclimatise before the championship, but that does not worry the athletes, who are looking forward to doing well. We need prayers, encouragement and motivation from Kenyans,” Okeyo added.
A total purse of $1.4 million (Sh120 million) will be paid out this weekend, with the winning teams bagging $50,000 (Sh4.3 million) with the prizes trickling down to $4,000 (Sh344,000) for eighth place.
The good news for the IAAF is that their inaugural World Relays will be watched by a worldwide TV audience at a sold-out stadium.
“Live TV coverage will include Pan-Europe on Eurosport, Pan-Asia on multiple Fox Sports and Star Sports channels, in the USA on Universal Sports, in Brazil on SporTV2, Pan-Middle East on Abu Dhabi Sports Channel 5, and Pan Sub-Saharan Africa on Supersport channels,” IAAF said.
Team Kenya is being accommodated at the Super Club Breezes Hotel with journalists residing at the Nassau Melia Beach hotel. US-based sprinter Carvin Nkanata, who is in the 4x200m relay team, will link up with the rest of the squad in Bahamas.
THE TEAM
Team Kenya: Men’s 4x200m: Steven Baraza, Walter Moenga, Tony Chirchir, Carvin Nkanata. Men’s 4x400m: Mark Mutai, Boniface Mucheru, Alex Sampao, Alex Sampao, Solomon Bwoga. Women’s 4x1,500m: Hellen Obiri, Mercy Cherono, Irene Jelagat, Ann Karindi, Faith Jepng’etich. Men’s 4x1500m: Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat, Collins Cheboi, Joseph Magut, Nixon Chepseba. Women’s 4x800m: Eunice Sum, Janet Jepkosgei, Sylvia Chesebe, Cherono Koech, Agatha Jeruto. Men’s 4x800m: Alfred Kipketer, Job Kinyor, Fergusson Rotich, Sammy Kirongo, Nicholas Kiplagat. Team leader: David Okeyo. Deputy team leader: Isaac Mwangi. Coaches: Esther Koech, Elkana Nyangau, Billy Kosgei. Physio: Caroline Kamau, Peter Nduhiu.
