Kenya Championships - PREVIEW

The Kenya national championships in Nairobi which start today and continue for a total of three days (14 - 17 June) is expected to see some thrilling action from some renowned names at the Nyayo National Stadium. However there could be some major upsets especially as one team in particular, the North Rift, is fielding some relatively young and unknown talents.

The championships will select the Kenya team for the All-Africa Games which take place in Algiers next month and will also decide some qualifiers for the Final Trials for the Osaka World Championships, which will be held 27/28 July in Nairobi.

Olympics 3000 metres Steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi is listed to lead the Police team’s onslaught at his specialty distance. But he is still smarting over defeat by Richard Matelong who also won the 10,000m at the Police Championships. The Armed Forces will be fielding an inexperienced team of Henry Talam, David Lagat and Patrick Ndhiwa.

Kenyan 800m champion Ismael Kombich from the Police faces an Armed Forces trio made up of Justus Koech (PB 1:44.16 at altitude in 2003 in Nairobi), Daniel Kandie, and veteran Joseph Mutua.

1998 and 2000 World XC short course champion John Kibowen has been listed in the men’s 5000m and he will face Thomas Longosiwa of North Rift, and 2001 World 10,000m champion Charles Kamathi of the Police team.

A star-studded field is expected in the men’s 10,000m. Among them are 1999 and 2003 World XC long course silver medallist Patrick Ivuti, 2002 Commonwealth Games 5000m gold medallist  Sammy Kipketer, and Vienna Marathon champion Luke Kibet who is also the Prisons champion over the distance.

World Juniors women's 5000m silver medallist Florence Kiplagat and Pune half Marathon champion Mzembi Musyoka are some of the athletes to watch in the women's 5000m.

Three times World XC short course champion Edith Masai leads Olympics marathon silver medallist Catherine Ndereba in the women's 10,000m.

Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF