Athletes still sweating as Team Kenyas first batch arrives

A number of athletes and coaches are sweating over their destiny in Team Kenya as the second group prepares for leave for the Rio 2016 Games on Sunday.

African High Jump Champion Mathew Sawe and the men’s 4X400m relay team quartet are yet to get official word from Chef-de-Mission Stephen Arap Soi who travelled early to Brazil to attend a Registration Meeting.

Head coach Julius Kirwa confirmed so far no athlete has been axed.

“We are still waiting for official communication from Rio in regards to Sawe and the 4X400m team. I’m in darkness on what the issue is with Sawe. He qualified with a B-Standard and is the only athlete from Africa to do that in the High jump.

“Soi asked as to wait and the entire team that was handed over by Nock is still in camp and its business as usual,” the veteran head coach who also led the country’s track and field team to the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games said.

As the team tries hard to concentrate on training at the Kipchoge Keino High Altitude Training Center 2015 All- African Games 400m silver medalist; Boniface Mweresa and Mike Mokamba, are yet to receive their passports from the Department of Immigration.

Beijing 2015 Worlds women marathon silver medallist Helah Kiplagat, 400m Hurdles African women silver winner; Maureen Chelagat and 400m Singapore Youth Olympics bronze medalist Alphas Kishoyan have received theirs according to Kirwa.

“I would like to urge those who are yet to receive their passports, visas and even accreditation to be patient. We are following it up keenly with the deputy Chef-de-Mission; James Chacha. It includes even the officials who are yet to receive their accreditation bearing in mind the most affected coaches are training sprinters,” he added.

-Rio safe-

Meanwhile, the first batch comprising of men and women Rugby Teams, boxing, swimming, Archery, Judo and weightlifting and their officials and coaches are already settled in Brazil.

“They arrived here yesterday (Sunday night) at 6pm (12am local time). All arrangements for Team Kenya to settle in the Rio Games Olympic Village have been finalized and are now ready to conquer the world,” the team’s Communications Officer, Peter Angweyi, said from Brazil.

Lone archer, Shehzana Anwar and a daughter of legendary local rally driver, Azar Anwar, says that she is going to take advantage of the facilities available in Rio to get into form.

“Progression’s has been good though my training was cut short before I got in shape since our group was the first to leave for Rio. I will continue with my training until I find my shooting range. I need to focus and concentrate and see if I can fly the flag high,” the teenager added.

The 16 year old, Shehzana will be coached and managed by her mother Tabassum Anwar.

The last group that is the men marathon squads departs on August 7.