After a successful 3-day Under 20 (U20) Championship trials that was culminated at the Moi International Sports Centre, Elgeyo Marakwet County prides for producing 10 athletes to the trials. Under 20 Championship is an initiative brought about by World Athletics as a way of providing opportunity to developing young athletes.
The National showpiece saw a record of attendance of 46 athletes from our county. Out of the Athletes: Brenda Jebet from Elgeyo Marakwet is among the newest addition to Kenya’s Olympic team after reaching the Olympic qualifying mark. She will battle for 800M Under 20 World Championship after booking a slot for the athletics meeting slated for next month. Brenda Jebet and Alice Ekiru Managed to beat Turkana’s Elizabeth Khatevi with two minutes and 11 and 12 seconds, respectively.
Justin Kiprotich also secured a qualification for the U20 championship under the 800m category with a one minute 46 seconds. He came second after beating Noah kibet of Transnzoia County. Irene Jepkerker and Miriam Jebet led a top 3 domination in the 5000M race. In the 1500M Men, Timothy Kipchirchir clocked 3 minutes 54 seconds beating Kelvin Kiptoo from Transnzoia with 3 minutes 55 seconds.
Elgeyo Marakwet also grabbed the first two positions in the 100M Girls and 100M hurdles women where Sarah Jepchumba and Varaline Kibet were first in each category respectively to edge out Victory Topogi and Diana Bungei who timed 13 minutes and 18 minutes apart.
A total of 24 Men and 22 Women athletes have been picked to represent the country at the World U20 athletics Championship. The 46 junior athletes who battled it out in the three-day trial to be selected to the Kenyan team for the world under 20 championships will fly the Kenyan flag high in the upcoming competition.
As the County prides itself with vibrant athletic history and population that loves track and field, It has continuously sponsored some of these young athletes to the County Government sponsored training camps.
These camps have immersed the youths in specific skill-development for their sport, thus leading to represent the country to national and international events. The county has subsequently called for such talents and activities that has enriched our youths to build and manage their talents that is hard to come by especially during this covid-19 pandemic period.
The team will proceed to represent the country at the World U20 athletics championship from 17th to 22nd August this year among other 156 countries at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani – Nairobi. We wish our athletes success as they prepare for this global event.
In attendance was the CEC in charge of Sports Kiprono Chepkok, Director Mike Mossi among other County, National Government and Athletics Kenya members and staff.