Kenya's athletics team sets sights on next month's Commonwealth Youth Games

Seasoned athletics youth coach, Robert Ngisarei believes his team is brimming with confidence and the athletes are determined to secure medals in the prestigious 2023 Youth Games scheduled to take place from 4th to 11th of August 2023 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Kenyan team is fueled by their recent success at the Africa U18 athletics championships held in Ndola, Zambia, where they showcased their exceptional talent and finished third on the medal table, bagging an impressive 33 medals.

Among the athletes leading the charge is the male team captain, Amos Kipkemoi, who has also exuded confidence in the team’s ability to do well, saying: “I would like to first of all like to thank my coach for the effort he has put in so far for the team. Looking at my teammates and the shape they are in I am confident that we will make the nation proud by bringing home medals when we go to Trinidad and Tobago.”

The youngster displayed his prowess by winning bronze and silver in the 400m hurdles and 4x400 mixed relay events in Ndola Zambia earlier this year.

Joining him will be his teammate Kelvin Kimutai, and the pair of Andrey Kiptoo Alamisi and Josephat Kipkirui Sang, who will be carrying the mantle in the 3000m category.

Another athlete - Kipkirui Sang is expected to double up in the 1500m event.

“We have a group of exceptionally talented young athletes who have shown great potential,” Ngisarei said of the team’s abilities. “With their commitment and support from the NOC-K staff, we believe they can make Kenya proud on the international stage.”

The Women's team is equally well-prepared and boasts a remarkable depth in junior games experience.

Four medalists from their recent competition in Zambia have been selected, including Nancy Cherop, Janet Chepkoech, Daisy Chepgetich and Caroline Anyango.

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Cherop delivered an outstanding performance, winning an impressive gold treble in the 3000m, 1500m, and 800m events.

Chepkoech secured a silver medal in both the 1500m and 800m events, with Chepgetich earning a well-deserved bronze in the 800m category.

Anyango, on the other hand, will be looking to continue her excellent form having bagged a silver medal in javelin.

“We agreed to select the team for the commonwealth Youth Games after the Ndola championship based on performance,” the coach added. “I have been monitoring their progress by visiting them in training and working with their local coaches. So I'm happy with what I have seen.

“We picked one sprinter, one hurdler, two runners in the 800m, and one 1500m runner. We have 1500m athletes on standby, just in case.”

The Kenyan team will train for 10 days at Kasarani before departure for Trinidad and Tobago.