Coach David Kimutai wants Athletics Kenya to maintain the African Games walk race team for the 2024 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championship scheduled for April 21 in Antalya, Turkey.
“The team is fantastic and can shock the world. All they need is support from all quarters,” said Kimutai
They showed potential and must compete in the Antalya championships, a 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifier.
Only Samuel Gathinba has qualified for Paris.
He won a silver medal in the men’s 20km walk on Wednesday morning at the ongoing African Games in Accra, Ghana, in 1:28:06.
Emily Ngii (1:37:34) won the women’s race. Silvia Kemboi (1:41:20) and Dominic Ndigiti (1:34:51) finished fourth in their respective races.
They showed potential and must compete in the Antalya championships, a 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifier.
The rest, Kimutai said, badly need the Turkey meeting to chase tickets for the Olympic Games.
The best way to keep the team on their toes is to organise a camp in Ngong for the walkers to hit specialised training ahead of the Turkish event.
Kimuati said the walk race is a low-hanging fruit for Kenya as long as there is support. “If we can do all this yet we train on our own, imagine what we can do with the right support,” he added.
Gathimba backed Kimutai’s sentiments. “If supported, we promise not to let the country down… this not a joke.”
Ndigiti also weighed in on the matter, saying proper kit will go a long way in preparing them for Turkey.
