Youngsters strive to stay fit for World Under-20 Championships

A number of Kenyan probables for 2020 World Under-20 Championships have spoken of the challenges they face as they strive to train during lockdown occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic.

Most have been forced to improvise and be innovative as they battle to stay fit ahead of the World Under-20 Championship. The youth event which was scheduled to be held from July 7-12 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, was postponed owing to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

Although World Athletics is yet to announce new dates for the event, Athletics Kenya’s Director for Youth and Development, Barnaba Korir, has indicated that the event is likely to be held next year.

"I was really hoping to get a ticket to the 5,000m team for the World-Under 20 Championships but Covid-19 happened. I was in great shape and the break has really interrupted my progress in training," Agnes Jebet from Torongo Camp in Baringo County said.

Jebet is among Kenya’s 150 World Under-20 probables, who have received cash and food rations amounting to Sh900,000.

They are drawn from Ol Kalou Athletics Camp in Nyandarua County, Torongo and Kaptama Athletics Camps in Bungoma County.

The cash and food rations were realized through money meant for upkeep of the athletes at the respective camps during April school holiday camp. The camps were put on hold owing to Covid-19 restrictions.

A total of Sh7 million had been set aside to facilitate World Under-20 training camps in April at 19 centres countrywide.

Korir and AK officials from other regions delivered the cash and food packages.

"Unlike some of my colleagues who will be knocked out owing to age limit, I am glad I will still be within the age bracket, and this is a motivation for me to continue training," 18-year-old Jebet said. She had also earned a ticket to the Under-20 team for Africa Cross Country Championships Championships that was due to be held on April 8 in Lome. It was postponed to next year due to Covid-19.

Jebet, the 2018 Youth 5,000 metres silver medallist who is Form Four at Kapkenda Girls High School, is currently training at home in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. She finished second in the Under-20 category of the National Cross Country Championships held in February this year.

"My coach Ruth Bundotich has been resourceful in giving me a training lessons on phone," said Jebet.

Among those likely to get tickets to World-Under-20 Championships from Torongo Athletics Camp are Shadrack Kipkchirchir, who finished third in men’s Under-20 category at the National Cross-Country Championships, Gedion Rono, Emmanuel Kiplagat, Ismael Kirui and Marion Cheruiyot.

Barnaba Kitilit, Athletics Kenya Baringo County chairman, said they have given the athletes programmes that have helped them in individual training.

"I thank the Government and Athletics Kenya for this assistant. It will help cushion the athletes from effects of Covid-19 for some weeks," Kitilit, whose camp has 50 athletes, said.

At Kaptama Athletics Camp, budding 400m sprinter Allan Kipyego, who finished fourth in 2019 Africa Under-20 Championships, expressed his disappointment after the world Under-20 event was postponed.

"I won't give up since I know I have a bright future ahead. It's really tough for sprinters since we have no place to train, not even the facilities. We have been reduced to long distance runs to keep fit," said Kipyego.

"My target is to improve my personal best from 46.00 to 44.43 by the end of this year so as to keep my Olympics dreams alive."

Among those within the age limit and have high hopes of making Team Kenya global track and field championship is held next year are 800m athlete Sheila Jepkosgei, Miriam Chebet (5,000m) and Felix Kibet (5,000m).

Former athlete Juma Ndiwa, who is one of the coaches at Kaptama Athletics Camp, requested Bungoma County Government and Athletics Kenya to help complete the construction of the High Attitude Training Centre at Kaptama.

"The hostels are complete, but we need the running track to be extended to the standard 400m circuit," said Ndiwa, the 1982 Africa 800m champion. "Work on the administration block is complete. What is remaining is the final phase."

The centre was the brainchild of former governor of Bungoma County, Kenneth Lusaka, but it’s construction stalled when Lusaka, who is now Senate Speaker, failed to get re-elected in 2017. Wycliffe Wangamati won the seat.

"We shall plan a meeting with Bungoma County officials soon to explore ways of finishing work on the centre to benefit athletes from the area," said Korir.