Kenyan sprinter pulls out of Commonwealth Games

Boniface Mweresa (left) competes with Alphas Kishoyan and Alex Sampao (right) in 400m semi-finals during the Commonwealth Games trials on February 17, 2018 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The head of Kenya’s delegation here, Barnabas Korir, said they had assessed the injury and thought it wise to pull the 21-year-old sprinter out of the track and field programme that starts on Sunday at the Carrara Stadium on the outskirts of Gold Coast.

IN GOLD COAST

Kenya’s 400-metre runner Alex Sampao has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games with a hamstring injury.

The head of Kenya’s delegation here, Barnabas Korir, said they had assessed the injury and thought it wise to pull the 21-year-old sprinter out of the track and field programme that starts on Sunday at the Carrara Stadium on the outskirts of Gold Coast.

“Alex suffered a hamstring tear and it’s a deep injury,” Korir said.

“It’s not wise for him to run because it could be a threat to his career and he’s still a young man,” Korir added.

That aside, the rest of Team Kenya athletes here are in good cheer with those competing in the 5,000m and 10,000m along with marathoners expected to arrive here on Monday and Tuesday.

Eunice Mbugua goes up against Nooroa Mataio of Cook Island in her final preliminary match of the lawn bowls while Khaaliqa Nimji hopes to emerge unscathed from the women’s singles Plate competition in squash.

Swimming action will also be on the menu on Saturday.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Australia, Isaiah Kabira, has meanwhile been in the forefront in supporting Team Kenya’s campaign here.

Kabira on Friday shuttled between the squash and boxing venues to cheer the Kenyan contestants besides spending time with visiting Kenyan legislators.

“It’s been a great day for Kenya and proof that efforts being made to diversify from our traditional sporting disciplines should be intensified,” Kabira said.

“I extend our best wishes to all our athletes in the days ahead. There is no better place to win gold that at the Gold Coast, that’s been my rallying call.”

Saturday’s Team Kenya programme:

Boxing:

Men’s 56kg round of 16: Benson Gicharu vs Peter McGrail (England);

Lawn bowls:

9.01am (2.01am Kenyan time: Women’s singles Section ‘C’ round 5: Eunice Mbugua vs Nooroa Mataio (Cook Island);

Squash:

12.30pm (5am Kenyan time): Women’s singles Plate semis: Mihiliya Methsarani (Sri Lanka) vs Khaaliqa Nimji (Kenya)

Swimming:

Preliminaries and finals from 10.30am to 9.30pm (03.30am to 2.50pm Kenyan time)