Juniors ready to step up at Africa Cross Country bonanza
Winnie Kimutai, fourth at the junior women’s 6km at last Saturday’s National Cross-Country Championships, is certain Kenya has a strong team that will represent the country at this year’s Africa Cross-Country Championships in Lome, Togo on April 8.
The Form Two student at Kapsait Secondary School, Elgeyo Marakwet County said team Kenya is capable of a podium sweep at the continental event.
She was named alongside defending champion Edina Jebitok (South Rift), Central Rift’s Agnes Jebet, national cross-country winner Maurine Cherotich (South Rift), Nyanza’s Margaret Akidor and Deborah Chemutai.
“Look at the names on that list. I think anyone is capable of winning gold when we go to Togo,” said Kimutai.
“When we go to camp, it will be important to learn about teamwork and strategy because that, coupled with talent will take us places,” she added.
Also confident about Kenya’s prospects are juniors in the newly-introduced 5km for girls under the age of 18.
Coach Ruth Bundotich of Kamwosori junior athletics camp, whose athletes Naomi Kemboi and Marion Cheruiyot took first and second place at the trials, believes the juniors have huge potential.
Promising juniors
Kemboi and Cheruiyot are respective Form Two and Form One students at Kimwogo Secondary School in Keiyo South constituency in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“Those are some of the promising juniors in the camp. I feel they have received a good foundation which will come in handy now and in future,” said Bundotich, who also coaches 2015 World Cross-Country winner Agnes Jebet.
