Kenya to the send ‘clean’ team to World XC

Athletics Kenya (AK) president Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei has reiterated that the federation has put in measures to ensure that the country sends a clean team to the World Cross Country championships slated for Aarhus, Denmark on March 30.

The  AK boss was speaking at the official launch of the residential training camp of team Kenya selected for the global competition at the Kigari Teachers Training College in Embu County.

“We have officers from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya who will be coming here to make sure that you are in good conditions. Also,  before you leave for the competition everyone of you will be required to fill in a consent form and this will not only  be in the Cross Country but also in all competitions,” said Tuwei.

Tuwei’s sentiments comes at a time when the country is still in fight against doping as a number of high profile athletes have been banned in recent past after testing positive for banned substances.

The team of 30 athletes selected for the biennial event  has been training at the facility since March 1 and are expected to camp until March 25 before leaving for Denmark two days later.

With Kenya holding the overall title from the 2017 championships held in Kampala, Tuwei has cautioned the team to be wary of tough competition in Aarhus.

“We are happy you have assured us that you are ready,  that is what we want to hear from you.  However,  you should not relax either because a World championship is a very competitive event.  For example we have to face Ethiopians, then Ugandans are also coming up very well not forgetting USA whose team is majorly made of Kenyans,” warned Tuwei.

In the championship,  Kenya will be in line to defend both men and women 10km titles as well as the mixed relay title and the overall crown.

According to team captain Geoffrey Kamworor who is also the defending champion of the senior men’s race, the preparations are going on well.

“I have been in the national team for the past four editions and for sure this is the strongest team ever,” said Kamworor.