Kenya: Youngsters Return

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

14 July 2011

Kenya’s victorious world athletics youth team returned home to a heroic welcome on Tuesday evening.

The team, which came in two batches, was treated to song and dance at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by relatives and friends, who travelled from all corners of the country to receive the young heroes and heroines.

The team finished second at the event in Lille, bagging 14 medals, (5 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals) in the five-day event.

Ten of the medallists will start preparing for the Commonwealth Youth Games planned for September in the Isle of Man.

Girls’ 1,500m gold medallist Faith Chepngetich, who added the youth title to her junior cross title, was delighted with the victory and vowed to improve on her performance.

She said the Commonwealth Youth Games are her next target. “I have had a successful year in the cross country and World Youth Championships and now, I will start preparing for the Commonwealth Games. I am confident we will win the event,” added Chepngetich. World youth 800m gold medallist Leonard Kirwa said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of world record holder David Rudisha after setting a new record in the event of 1:44.08 .” I’m still very young and I have many more years ahead of me. I want to emulate what Rudisha has achieved and one day, I hope to break his record,” added Kirwa.

He said his next target will be to run a 1:43 as junior athlete and exuded confidence that it is very possible. ” I can run 1:43 and I know I will get there soon. All I need to do is to work harder and achieve that time,” added Kirwa.

Conselus Kipruto, who won gold in the 2,000m steeplechase, said it was imperative that they keep the flag flying high in the water jump event. “Our runners have done well in the steeplechase and I didn’t want to disappoint the country,” added Kipruto.

Head coach Gekonyo Kariuki said the country will win more medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games if the form in Lille, France is anything to go by. “I belief the team will do well andfly our flag even higher in the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

He said despite USA not taking part in the event, he expects fierce competitions from the likes of Australia, Great Britain and South Africa. ” This are the countries I know will give us a run for our money,” he added.

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