AK begin plans for World U-20 Championships
Race walk athlete Dominic Ndigiti (right) and his colleagues at the World Under-20 Championships Mogonga Camp in Kisii on June 16, 2020.
Athletics Kenya (AK) will pick a maximum of 70 athletes for specialised training ahead of the World Under-20 Championships planned from August 17-22 next year at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
AK director for youth and development, Barnaba Korir said the juniors will be selected during the preliminary trials due November 20-21 this year at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Korir said after the preliminary trials that will be through invitation, the selected athletes will then be put in specific training camps across the country where they will be assisted to prepare for the global event.
“Unlike before, we shall minimise the camps where the focus will be on the athletes we shall have selected,” said Korir, adding that there will be a camp in December and April next year before the final selection.
Even as schools re-open in January, AK shall assign coaches to where these athletes will be schooling to monitor their progress. “Those who will not be in school will be given programs by their respective coaches or managements.”
Korir disclosed that despite the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, the government has supported the Under-20 athletes in several camps across the country with cash and food stuff.
Close to 1,500 juniors and their coaches from 20 camps across the country benefited from the initiative by AK and the Ministry of Sports.
However, Korir noted that with the postponement of the event from July 7 to 12 this year to 2021, a large percentage of those in under-20 camps will have surpassed the age limit.
"We have a big task ahead of us in moulding a new team,” said Korir.
Korir said they will deliberately put emphasis on field events and short races where Kenya has potential. “We shall engage and utilise some of our best coaches like Andrew Martim, who is trained in Japan to prepare our field and sprint athletes,” said Korir.
Besides being an invite-only event, Korir said strict Covid-19 protocols will be in place during the preliminary trials with all those taking part going through tests before the event.
Kenya will be represented in 21 out of the 22 on card in both men and women's competitions. The only event where the country won't have representation is the pole vault.
Kenya claimed the overall title with 11 medals; six gold, four silver and one bronze at the previous 2018 championships in Tampere, Finland.
