Kenya World Relays team to step up training on Monday

Team Kenya for the third edition of the 2017 IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas will begin training for the competition in earnest on Monday, head coach George Macharia has declared.

Speaking on Thursday, Macharia reported 25 athletes had reported to camp in Nairobi West with the rest expected by end of the day.

Those present held a light training session in the morning before leaving to witness President Uhuru Kenyatta receive the Queen’s Baton for the 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next year.

Speaking to Citizen Digital on phone, Macharia exuded confidence his group of 30 athletes would be ready for the global event slated for April 22-23 with the aim of posting a better performance than in 2015.

Kenya gathered 15 points and finished seventh overall due to poor baton techniques, unlike in the inaugural edition where they finished third with 35.

“We will be training in three different grounds; Nairobi West Prisons, GEMS International Cambridge School that is on your way to Rongai and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

“The 800m athletes who need to work on endurance will be training at Karura Forest,” assistant head coach Stephen Mwaniki explained.

During the National Trials held at the Kasarani the men 4X400 team failed to qualify after Botswana and Republic of South Africa bailed out of the IAAF permit meeting.

The squad lead by two-time 4X400m African Championships silver medallist, Alphas Kishoyan got a chance to represent his nation through the newly introduced 4X400m mixed relay event.

 Team Kenya Provisional Squad

4X200 men

1. Collins Omae
2. Ferdnard Omunyala
3. Peter Mwai
4. Mike Mokamba
5. Mark Otieno (rsv)

4x200m women

1. Maximilla Imali
2. Damaris Okoth
3. Peris Chege
4. Patricia Isichi
5. Mary Tanui

4X400m women

1. Jacinta Shikanda
2. Veronica Mutua
3. Grace Kidake
4. Evalyne Makena
5. Catherine Nandi

4X800m Men

1. Bett Kipyegon
2. Ferguson Rotich
3. Aflred Kipketer
4. Cornelious Tuwei
5. Timothy Kitum

4X800m Women

1. Emily Rotich
2. Silvia Chesebe
3. Josephine Chelagat
4. Mary Kuria
5. Ecla Nalianya

Mixed relay 4X400m

1. Alphas Kishoyan
2. Boniface Mweresa
3. Geoffrey Kiprotich
4. Daisy Komen
5. Betty Chelangat