Top junior athletes identified for upcoming Commonwealth games

The seventh edition of the Trinbago Commonwealth Youth Games is set to take place from a 4 to 11 on the Islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking in Eldoret during the World Athletics Annual Kids Championships held at Hill School grounds, Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth Development chairman Barnaba Korir mentioned that they have picked out a few junior athletes from previous performances - to be specific Africa youth and juniors under 18 and 20 - which took place in Lusaka, Zambia, where Kenya scooped 37 medals, 24 gold, 10 Silver and 3 bronze.

He said that they have already forwarded a list of names to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK).

“Athletics Kenya does not get involved so much in commonwealth games preparation since that is the purview of the National Olympics committee.

However, as AK we provide them with athletes - in that we have sent a list of athletes to them.” Said the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour meet director.

He added that there will be no national trials to select a team since they already had meetings with NOCK and discussed how to select a qualified team.

“We had discussions with NOCK on criteria for how we will select the team. It is expensive to hold a national trial for only 8 athletes.” Said Korir.

However, Korir mentioned that there are a lot of transformations in sprints as most young athletes are taking up sprints.

“We have seen athletes doing well in sprints which is a good thing for the country. If we give opportunities to young athletes to compete, we stand a chance to win more medals in field and track events and even win the championship,” quipped Korir.

Meanwhile, the world event ( World Athletics Annual Kids Championships) was to be held last week but due to the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour taking place, the World Athletics allowed Kenya to reschedule the event. Other countries are already done.

“This annual event helps in nurturing talents. We have been doing this in Nairobi and other parts, but my committee decided to bring it here in the home of athletes. This idea, from World Athletics, is a model like CBC to develop skills in young people,” he concluded