Cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Ababu Namwamba on Thursday afternoon officially flagged off the Kenyan team set to compete in the upcoming World Athletics Championships slated for 19 to 27 August in Budapest, Hungary.
The team of 57 athletes – 32 men and 25 women – is set to leave the country starting Monday 14 August, where they will depart in batches, all leading up to the 19th edition of the global championships.
Setting the day’s motion to appreciate the commitment from Kenya’s biggest ambassadors, CS Ababu exuded confidence in the group set for the competition, buying in to individual efforts that played a role to them competing and ultimately being selected to represent the nation.
“I will not shy away to consistently say that athletics is Kenya’s biggest export to the world,” Ababu, who was flanked by Sports Permanent Secretary Eng. Peter Tum, said. “I believe that this is the best group to represent us, and they deserve it, given by how they qualified at the national trials. It was clear for everyone to see.”
Presenting some significant changes to a year ago – when the team was preparing to jet out for the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, United States – Ababu was quick to mention that all matters pertaining team travels were sorted out, and so was the ‘revised award scheme’ set to commend athletes who went ahead to break world records in their events.
“As you know, last year we had a few hitches in Visa applications and team travels,” Ababu stated as he made reference to one of the then victims in Ferdinand Omanyala. “I can confidently say that everything is sorted now, and the last batch should get to Budapest in real good time. That will allow them to have a feel of the new environment and acclimatize accordingly.
“Also as part of the award system that saw us award Faith Kipyegon with a Ksh 5 Million cash prize and a three bedroom house worth Ksh 6 Million, I am happy to announce that we have made significant improvements to our cash reward system, which we will announce later.”
The same message of utmost readiness was sounded off by the new team captain Emily Ngii – and her assistant Julius Yego – as they staked their claim in matching Kenya’s heroics in the 2015 games.
“We want to reclaim our glory and go back to being on top of the world,” Yego stated, as he was singled out to being the oldest athlete in the group that has a mix of upcoming young talents and some experience.
“Going back to the previous 18 editions, Kenya is only second to USA in terms of total medals won,” Athletics Kenya President Gen. Jack Tuwei said. “The team here will surprise alot of people and we believe in them.”
Part of the Kenyan contingent leaving to Budapest will also be former world 3000m steeplechase champion Milcah Chemos and the legendary David Rudisha.
