Tuwei tips young Cross-Country squad to defy odds in Florida

Kenya is poised for another fierce assault on global cross-country glory, with Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jackson Tuwei expressing strong belief in the country’s youthful squad heading to the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10.

Tuwei spoke during a visit to Team Kenya’s residential camp at St Mark’s Teachers College in Kigari, Embu County, where athletes have remained in intensive training through the festive season, a sacrifice he described as a clear sign of focus and ambition.

“Thank you for deciding to remain in camp even during this Christmas period. We thought you would want to go home to be with your families during Christmas and New Year,” Tuwei told the athletes. “However, you have dedicated yourselves to training and that shows you are serious about this championship.”

Tuwei, who also serves as World Athletics Vice President, reminded the athletes that Kenya will be competing with a target on its back as defending overall champions.

“We are the defending overall champions. This is a young team, and I am confident you will give your very best in Florida,” he said.

“We wish you all the best of luck as you go out there to represent Kenya.”

Kenya heads to Florida carrying the weight of champions after finishing top of the medal table at the last championships in Belgrade, Serbia, with an impressive haul of 11 medals — six gold, two silver and three bronze — ahead of Ethiopia and Uganda.

Athletics Kenya Youth Development Chair Barnaba Korir echoed Tuwei’s optimism, saying the young squad is capable of delivering strong performances across categories, even as the men’s senior team undergoes a transition.

“Kenya will be going out to defend the title we won in Belgrade last year. I am confident this young group of athletes will deliver good results,” said Korir.

Korir tipped the women’s team and the mixed relay as strong medal prospects, citing experience within the squad, while assuring that athletes have been prepared for the cold January conditions expected in the United States.

In Belgrade, Kenya struck gold in the women’s senior 10km through Beatrice Chebet, the men’s U20 race via Samuel Kibathi, and the mixed relay.

Looking ahead to Tallahassee, Korir is bullish that Kenya can mount a serious challenge across all categories.

“In Belgrade we won the senior women’s title but missed out on the men’s senior crown,” he noted. Apart from Daniel Ebenyo and Ishmael Kirui, who recently transitioned to the senior ranks, the men’s team is very young,” he noted.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on them. We wish them the best, and I am sure they will do very well,” he added.

With chilly conditions expected in the United States in January, Korir insisted that the federation has left nothing to chance in preparing the athletes.

“We are looking forward to the championship. I know it will be a little cold in the US at that time, but we have prepared the athletes for those conditions,” he said.

“The morning and evening conditions here in Kigari are almost similar to what they will experience in the US.”

Athletics Kenya Chief Administrative Officer Susan Kamau confirmed that all logistical preparations are in place, with visa appointments scheduled and athletes set to report to the Team Kenya camp at Kasarani before departing in early January.

“The final entries have been completed, and we have booked visa appointments in three groups on December 29 and 30, with the final group scheduled for January 5,” Kamau revealed.

She added that athletes are required to report to the Team Kenya camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, by December 28.

“Athletes will be required to be in Nairobi on December 28. Departure will be in two groups, the first on January 5 and the second on January 6,” said Kamau.