Kenya will conquer all at Kampala WXC Coach Ndiwa

With three days left until Team Kenya descend on the iconic Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Team Kenya Head Coach Juma Ndiwa has assured the country of success.

Ndiwa said there are no injury concerns within the squad that is targeting a clean sweep of all the medals on offer at the Ugandan capital.

“The team has worked so hard for the last 30 days and now feel motivated to bring glory back home. We know we are going to face stiff completion on Sunday but we have prepared for it; we must fight and for now only victory is on our minds.

“I know that most countries have been planning on how to beat Kenya and Ethiopia but that will not intimidate us,” Ndiwa told Citizen Digital.

Kenya will be among the last teams to report for the championships and will only afford a day’s rest before competing on Sunday.

The situation stirred anxiety among the athletes in camp prompting them to request Athletics Kenya (AK) President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei to make arrangements for them to travel earlier for acclimatization purposes.

Ndiwa however assured the hot humid conditions in Kampala is similar to that they experienced at their training base at St. Mark Teachers Training College, Kigari in the County of Embu.

“We are not the only who have not yet arrived in Kampala. According to the IAAF rules, all teams are supposed to arrive tomorrow.

I do not think there will be any problems with the team because it’s a 45minutes flight to Kamapala and I do not think they will be jetlagged,” Ndiwa said.

The team is expected to travel on Friday at 3:30pm local time and will return on Monday at 6:30pm (+GMT).

TEAM KENYA

Senior men: Leonard Barsoton, Nicholas Kosimbei, Geoffrey Kamworor, Vincent Rono, Leonard Komon, Leonard Lagat

Senior women: Irene Cheptai, Lilian Kasait, Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon, Alice Aprot, Agnes Tirop, Hyvin Kiyeng

U-20 men: Richard Yator, Meshack Kyuguti, Wesley Ladema, Edwin Kiplagat, Amos Kirui, Ronald Kirui

U20 women: Sandrafelis Chebet, Cellephine Chepteek, Sheila Chelangat, Emmaculate Chepkirui, Joyline Cherotich, Esther Muthoni

Mixed relay: Asbel Kiprop, Margaret Nyairera, Bernard Kipkorir, Beatrice Chepkemoi, (Reserves) Winfred Mbithe and Mark Bett