Nyanza North plot for success in World Under-20

Gilbert Kiprotich iin Nyanza

Despite the Covid-19 crisis, athletes from Nyanza North are still holding on to their World Under-20 Championships dream.

A total of 41 junior athletes from the region which comprises of Kisumu, Siaya and Homabay counties had been selected by Athletics Kenya to pitch camp at Sang’oro Secondary School in preparation for the event which was earlier scheduled to be held in July 7-12 in Nairobi before it was postponed due to the novel coronavirus

AK Nyanza North chairman Joseph Ochieng bemoaned the postponement of the event disclosing that his youngsters were ready for national trials which were to be held this month.

“As you know this is the granary of sprints in Kenya and I am assuring you that if it was not for Covid, we had prepared very well during the December and our target was to do well,” Ochieng told Citizen Digital.

Ochieng was speaking on Monday at the Kisumu National Polytechnic when AK handed foodstuffs and cash stipend to the athletes in order to cushion them against the effects of the pandemic.

Nyanza is a region known for its prowess in sprints and field events and perhaps middle-distance races.

National 100m record holder Mark Otieno who hails from Siaya County is one of the athletes who have risen through the ranks to being an elite athlete.

However, over the years, the raw potential in the region has not been transformed to finer products.

Ochieng said they are working round the clock to make the region a hub of sprinters in the country especially as they now face tight competition from their neighbours in Nyanza South.

“We know there is a disconnect and the main obstacle has been the coaching department. We have however identified a coach who I think will help us. The coach was expected to have arrived but it was not possible because of the pandemic,” said Ochieng.

Moreover, Ochieng lamented the lack of adequate training facilities including track and gym noting that it’s hindering the development of the sport in the region.

Athletics Kenya executive committee member Barnaba Korir urged the county governments to expedite construction works in the region in order to offer athletes with adequate training facilities.