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Kenya: Athletics - World Beaters Fly Off to Edinburgh
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The Nation (Nairobi)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 26 March 2008
Chris Musumba
Nairobi
Athletics Kenya officials are confident the national team will bring home the overall team title to make it 24 wins in 36 years in Sunday's World Cross Country Championships to run in Edinburgh.
The association's chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat led in expressing optimism that the 27-member squad which was due to leave last night for the Scottish city will be able to reclaim the senior men and women crowns to cement their victory.
For eight years, Kenya has looked on as their regional rivals Eritrea and Ethiopia have slowly dominated the senior categories at the World Championships.
"Since the days of (five times world champion) Paul Tergat, we have not been able to win in the senior men's race.
"Now it is your turn to be part of history by coming back home not only with the team title, but all the individual gold medals," Kiplagat told the team members at a farewell reception on Wednesday.
The team's captain, Mark Kiptoo, the World Military Games' 5,000 and 10,000m champion, said the bonding and harmonising sessions they had in the Embu camp had helped them gel and they now relish the challenge ahead.
"We got all the support we wanted. Now it is down to us to show the world what class of athletes we are. All that is remaining is to feel the course and then make the final plan on how to conquer the world yet again," he said.
The AK Boss also cautioned athletes from taking on their private coaches' and agents' instructions at the expense of the orders from the Kenya team coaches that helped them in the training in camp in Embu.
Kiplagat noted that Kenya lost out in three events at the Osaka World Championships, because of a clash in commands and that they will not tolerate the same this time round.
"You have been following their instructions in camp here. They know you better, how can you take commands from someone else? This is a national event, they will have their time with you in invitational meetings.
"When you perform badly, it will not be the agents we will be asking questions, but these coaches that are travelling along with you," he said.
Kiplagat was addressing the athletes during the official flag handing over ceremony at a special luncheon hosted by the cross country season's national sponsors, Kenya Commercial Bank, at a city hotel.
KCB have funded the cross country season to a tune of Sh5.6 million.
Head coach Julius Kirwa showed his gratitude and was happy with the team's discipline, saying in the seven years he has handled the national squad, this year's was the best in that regard.
"I look forward to seeing them put the same discipline on the ground and show their ability by helping us win the events we have lost out to our rivals," he added.
The difference in climate between Embu and Edinburgh, however is not giving the coach sleepless nights.
Kirwa noted that Kenya has previously competed in tougher conditions and Edinburgh will be the same to all.
Already, AK has ordered for winter clothes for the athletes from sportswear firm, Nike, and Kiplagat said the shipment is expected in Scotland tomorrow.
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"But it is important to help the young ones who get acclimatised to this conditions.
"Most are making their first trip abroad and in such weather conditions - near freezing. But this is a challenge and an experience they must get into their careers," said Kiplagat.
Squad: 12km men: Gideon Ngatunyi, Mark Kiptoo, Hosea Macharinyang', Joseph Ebuya, Bernard Kiprop Kipyego, Leonard Komon, Moses Masai, Augustine Choge, John Kimondo Thuo. 8km women: Grace Momanyi, Linet Masai, Doris Changeiwo, Linet Chepkurui, Margaret Wangare, Prisca Jepleting. 8km junior men: Levy Matebo, Mathew Kisorio, Charles Chebet, Lucas Rotich, Titus Mbishai, Peter Some. 6km junior women: Christine Kambua Mayanga, Chebet Cheptai, Delvin Mengor, Dorcas Jepchirchir, Mercy Kosgei, Jackline Chebii.
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