Kenya team off to world indoor meet

By CHRIS MUSUMBA

Kenya’s team to the World Indoor Championship leaves on Tuesday for Doha, confident of doing well at the global competition.

With Wilfred Bungei being the only athlete to have won a gold medal indoors, which he struck in his 800m speciality at the Moscow championships in 2006, the pressure is on the lean squad of seven to do well in the Qatari capital.

The World Indoor Championships take place from Friday to Sunday. World 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot is relishing the challenge of striking gold when she lines up in the 3,000m in Doha.

Ready

Speaking after training at the Nyayo National Stadium on Monday, Cheruiyot, who is making her debut at the global indoor championship, said she is ready to take on her challengers in Doha, especially the Ethiopians whom she anticipates to give her trouble.

“They are good. But we have all prepared and are looking forward to do well in Qatar. I’m ready for the challenge from whoever that I will line up against,” she said. Kenya is sending a lean squad of seven athletes.

But Athletics Kenya secretary general David Okeyo said they are hopeful the numerical disadvantage will not hamper their performances.

In Valencia, Spain, at the last championship, only Paul Kipsiele Koech (3,000m) and Daniel Komen Kipchirchir (1,500m) were lucky to get silver medals while Bungei withdrew with a thigh muscle strain on the eve of the championship and hence he failed to defend his title.

Making the Kenya team are Augustine Choge, Sammy Mutahi (3000m), Gideon Gathimba, Haron Keitany (1,500m), Boaz Lalang (800m), Vivian Cheruiyot and Sylvia Kibet (3,000m).