KDF to unleash Obiri at national championship

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) cross country team is oozing confidence ahead of the national championships to be held on Saturday at the Eldoret Sports Club.

The team of 16 has been training at the Eldoret Showground ahead of the championships that will also double up as trials for the World Cross Country Championships to be held next month in Denmark.

According to head coach David Lamai, the team  has already finished their preparations ahead of the event and raring to go.

“We are ready for the competition. We have finalised everything and now we are just striving to maintain for fitness ahead of the event,” Lamai told Citizen Digital.

World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri is among the star-studded athletes set to lead the soldiers assault and head coach David Lamai is banking on the Commonwealth Games champion to bag the women title.

 “I have a very strong squad led by Obiri who has really shown her desire to represent Kenya in World Cross. She has trained well and she is ready for the championship and we have high hopes that she will win,” said Lamai.

Others in the women start list include Perin Nengampi who finished fifth in last editions event, Deborah Samum, Dorcas Kimeli, Irene Kamais and Mercy Wanjiru.

KDF meet winner Kibiwott Kandie, Lawi Komen who won the Kapsokwony AK meet, Vedic Cheruiyot, Jirus Songok, Stephen Arita and Frankline Ngelel will lead the men’s field.

With the competition being held out of the capital Nairobi for the first time, Lamai is looking forward to a more competitive race than ever as he seeks to snatch away both titles from Police.

“This is the home of many athletes and many fans will turn up for the event as well. I therefore foresee a very competitive race since most of these athletes know each other,” added Lamai.

Lamai is also adamant that the climatic conditions will be favourable with the athletes set to square off in the afternoon unlike in the morning hours in the previous editions.

“Afternoon hours in an ideal time for the competition and we have prepared for that as well. The altitude will be ideal with World Cross in mind,” said Lamai.