Africa-Press – Kenya. Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei believes there is more to come from the youngsters who represented the country at this year’s World Under 20 Championships at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Kenya successfully defended their team crown, won three years prior in Tampere, Finland, when they amassed 16 medals (eight gold, one silver, and seven bronze) on home soil to top the medal standings.
Tuwei says this is one of the highlights of what has been a busy calendar for athletics in 2021.
“It was the best performance we have ever witnessed by an Under 20 team. That is the team we are looking forward to for future championships…the World Championship, the Olympics, and the other major competitions,” Tuwei said.
He noted that the championship, pushed back by a year in 2020, would not have been possible without concerted efforts by all stakeholders.
“Despite the championship being postponed, we worked round the clock and finally managed to host it successfully amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Off and on the track, it was generally a wonderful event,” Tuwei said.
He further praised Kenyan marathoners for their exceptional performances locally and internationally, which have put the country on the map as the bedrock of long-distance athletics.
“I think they have done extremely well in both city races and at the Olympics. We have even seen our athletes dominate the Diamond League series and so on the whole, I think we have done extremely well,” the AK supremo said.
Even as they break for the festive season, the federation know they have their work cut out ahead of a busy calendar in 2022.
Tuwei said they had already begun preparations in October with the national cross country circuit and would immediately resume next year in readiness for the National Cross Country Championship and World Cross Country Tour, both to be held in Eldoret.
“We thank God for the minimal impact of Covid-19 across sports this season. Next season we have the national cross country meet in Eldoret in January before we host the World Cross Country tour,” Tuwei said.
He added: “The decision to take the World Cross Country Tour to Eldoret was in consideration of the city as the epicentre of athletics in Kenya. Everything is in place and we are looking forward to that day.”
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