Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-03 12:12:06
Japan-based athletes Matthew Kipkoech from Iten and Mercy Chepkemoi from Kericho have emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s under-20 races at this year’s Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Gold Tour held at Lobo Village, Eldoret. Kipkoech strategically made his move in the last lap, taking the lead to finish in 23 minutes and 32 seconds, narrowly edging out favorite Samuel Kibathi, who is also based in Japan. Kibathi, an Africa under-20 10,000m bronze medalist, finished in 23:37, while Charles Rotich secured third place in 23:40. Kipkoech expressed his excitement at making the team for the Africa Cross Country Championships and is now looking forward to competing for a place in Team Kenya for World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia on March 30.
Mercy Chepkemoi emerged victorious in the women’s under-20 6km race, finishing in 20:07, narrowly defeating Diana Chepkemoi by three seconds. Having previously finished 10th last year, Mercy is thrilled to have secured a spot on Team Kenya for the upcoming Africa Cross Country Championships in Tunis, Tunisia, scheduled for February 25. She aspires to represent Kenya at the World Cross Country Championships in Serbia and is determined to improve her performance with the guidance of her coach Michale Siele.
Diana, a student at Saramek High School in Londiani, Kericho County, who represented Kenya for the first time during the world cross country championships last year, is aiming to secure spots for both the Africa and world events this year. She acknowledged that the race was tough and is keen to learn from her mistakes as she prepares for upcoming events.
Reckitt, through its Dettol Cool brand, sponsored the junior and kids races at the event with over Sh3.6 million, highlighting its commitment to nurturing the talents of young athletes. Reckitt regulatory affairs manager, James Mokoro, emphasized the importance of protecting athletes from a young age, with products that provide protective effects for a cleaner environment.
Innovation and development, particularly at junior camps across the country, are essential for talent search and development, and Reckitt aims to collaborate more with Athletics Kenya in this field. The event also recorded a remarkable turnout of 3,000 kids for kids races, with race director Barnaba Korir noting that the sheer numbers required them to turn back over 500 participants due to capacity constraints.
The event garnered significant interest and support from athletes, sponsors, and the community, with a focus on promoting wellness and nurturing talent. The Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Gold Tour aims to enhance the legacy of athletics and provide a platform for athletes to showcase their abilities. The collaboration with Dettol underscores the commitment to fostering an unforgettable international cross-country experience while connecting heritage and sports.
As athletes and organizers celebrated these achievements, the event demonstrated the aspirations of young athletes, the commitment of sponsors, and the collective effort to support and promote sporting talent. Such events serve as a powerful reminder of the value of sports and community engagement, creating a positive environment for the development of future athletes.
Read the original article on Daily Nation
