Paralympian Muchai confident of good outing in Morocco

Rio 2016 1,500m and 5,000m Paralympics champion Samuel Muchai will be hoping to replicate his stellar form that propelled him to the 2017 SOYA award and book his Tokyo 2020 Paralympics ticket when he takes part in the fourth International Athletics Meeting set to be held in Marrakech, Morocco from the April 23-27.

The event which will also double up as a Paralympics qualifier will feature athletes from all over the continent.

The T11(race for the partially blind) athlete remained adamant that despite a few difficulties, he is ready to once again defy the odds , earn his qualification and emerge triumphant in Tokyo.

“My aim is to defend my titles and despite a few challenges, my preparations have been good and I’d like to thank the National Paralympics Committee and the government for all they have done,” he said.

Muchai will face some stiff opposition from compatriot Rogers Kiprop who beat him during the trials held in March. Despite this, Muchai remained defiant insisting he’s ready for any challenge.

“I am prepared. I am well prepared and so I am ready for anything,” added Muchai.

The Kenya team is currently camped at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani as they put the final touches to their preparations.

National Paralympics Committee president Agnes Oluoch said she’s satisfied with the team picked to represent the country adding that the aim is to win medals.

“We’ll have a big team of 62 people which will include the visually impaired; the field teams and the wheelchair racers. This is the biggest team we are taking and we have the best athletes including Samuel Muchai so we will do well,” she explained.

The team also received a major boost after the Moroccan Embassy in Kenya stepped in to help with travel arrangements.

Speaking at Kasarani after paying the athletes a courtesy call, Moroccan Deputy Ambassador Slaoui Mohammed praised the athletes pointing out to the great relationship the two countries enjoy.

“The Moroccan government will take care of all travel costs for the athletes and will also waiver all visa fees. This is just a small token of our willingness to get closer to Kenya,” he said

The team will jet out on Saturday.