AK lines up training camps for budding coast region sprinters

Sprinters from Coast Region, who reached both the national primary and secondary schools championships last year, will receive specialised training in Nairobi, Athletics Kenya (AK) has said.

AK Director for Youth and Development Barnaba Korir indicated that the three-week camp will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium where the juniors will have the privilege of using the starting blocks and running spikes.

Korir said they intend to start the programme in August if they get the all clear from the Ministry of Health currently dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Another session is also planned for December. “They will be trained by some of our finest sprint coaches and top sprint athletes,” said Korir.

Tentatively, Korir said that they have seconded two former sprint coaches Jimmy Beautah and Kennedy Ochieng to handle the young coastal sprinters ahead of the August or December camps.

“We have identified at least six young sprinters from the region,” said Korir, who visited Coast Region’s Camp for the World Under-20 Championships at Kijiwetanga Primary School, Malindi, in Kilifi County on Saturday.

Face-to-face

Korir, who was at the coastal town to deliver cash and food donations to 23 juniors, who are in the World Under-20 programme, came face-to-face with some of Kenya’s most promising sprint athletes who have gone on to win national school titles barefoot.

AK Coast Region officials cashed in on the visit to request their head office to conduct a specialised training for their sprinters, who reached national primary and secondary schools championships the previous years.

Korir said that Nike, the world's leading sportswear manufacturing firm, has already approved some sports equipment donation to their World Under-20 programme.