Camp bursts into activity as squads now sign in
Commonwealth bound 400m runner Florence Wasike in training at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, yesterday.
The Kasarani camp for the Melbourne, Australia bound Commonwealth Games team was a hive of activity as the last of the athletes expected started trooping in.
Commonwealth bound 400m runner Florence Wasike in training at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, yesterday. Photo/Mohammed Amin
Boxers, swimmers and rugby players were also in while badminton and table tennis teams were expected to book in later in the day.
With the exception of a few Rift Valley-based athletes, officials expressed their pleasure with the big turnout. This was in stark contrast to what happened at the camp ahead of last year's world athletics championships.
None was more encouraged than sprints coach John Anzrah whose runners are determined to win at least the 4x400 metres relay. Vincent Mumo and Ezra Sambu will be looking for the first Kenyan 400m gold at the Commonwealth Games since 1994.
Anzrah put Mumo, Sambu and 400m sprinter Florence Wasike through their paces at the warm up track and said the two weeks in training would be enough to find a winning combination.
The distance runners warmed up together before real work begins.
Paul Lagat and Geoffrey Siele (10,000) teamed up with Ines Chenonge (10,000m), Esther Chebor (3,000m steeplechase), Lucy Kabuu (,5,000m) during the morning workout under coach Julius Kororia.
Lack of tension was obvious. Coaches were still waiting for the arrival of senior athletes: Benjamin Limo, Ezekiel Kemboi, new found star Augustine Choge and Isabella Ochichi for serious work to begin.
Similar mission
Choge, winner of the 4 km race at the national cross-country championships, is preparing for the final trials on March 4. If successful he will attempt a double by competing in the Club Games before the Fukuoka world cross-country championships.
Ochichi is also having a similar mission as is Limo the lone gold medallist at the 2005 world championships.
Despite the Commonwealth Games coming early because of ther southern hemisphere summer , the youthful Kenyan team is expected, as per past tradition to dominate the distance events and make a mark in the longer sprints.
Walker David Kimutai who was expected yesterday has also been tipped to perform well after clocking the second fastest time of the season during the trials.
