Two events-800m and 1,500m have been added the programme for the fifth National Bank/Athletics Kenya meeting in Mombasa this weekend.

AK public relations officer Peter Angwenyi yesterday said the meet, which was meant to feature purely sprints and field events competition, has now been expanded to accommodate 800m and 1,500m in the programme.

"We want the event to be as competitive as the rest and we are asking all our athletes from the 100m to 1500m as well as participants in field events to turn up in large numbers," said Angwenyi.

"It will be the first time we will be hosting such an event at the coast and this shows how serious we are in developing sprint athletes," said Angwenyi. "Taking part in a low altitude event is very good for these kind of athletes and they should therefore treat it with seriousness it deserves."

He said AK are happy with the kind of competition the weekend meets are generating as they have seen the emergence of young athletes, who are threatening to topple their more experienced counterparts.

Last weekend's meeting in Kitale saw some big names like Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop, two-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi and world bronze medallist Janet Jepkosgei falling to minnows.

Kiprop tripped and failed to finish in the 800m final race that was won by little-known Evans Kosgei while Jepkosgei finished sixth in the women's 1,500m final, which was won by Eunice Sum. Kemboi could not go past the heats in the men's 1,500m race.

Among those expected in Mombasa are winners from last weekend's meeting including women's 100m and 200m winner Damaris Mbula. Other sprinters expected are Regina Mulatia, Sharon Wafula, Elizabeth Nyongesa and Milca Wamaitha.

Mombasa show will feature the likes of Emmanuel Leli, Bernard Simiyu, Jason Oketch, Bernard Simiyu, Naphtali Mureithi, Alex Sang and Gedion Kirui, who will combine both 100m and 200m races. After Mombasa, the meeting will move to Mumias between April 20 and 21.