Isaiah Kiplagat |
By Fred Maingi
Elite runners who will not participate in the Kenya
national cross country series have been warned by Athletics Kenya to forget
about being selected for the 2013 world cross country championship in
Bydgoszcz, Poland.
AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat has emphasised that all
athletes must participate in at least three of the seven weekend meetings in
order to be liable for selection for the world championship.
In a bid to reclaim back the
perfect glory that was realized in Poland two years ago where
Kenya swept the podium winning eight gold medals in the eight categories
contested , AK has rolled out a plan that will aid the country to achieve
the fete next year.
Kiplagat said Kenya is looking forward to reclaim that
perfect finish next year by sending a strong and competent team to Poland to
claim back the 2010 glory. Last year Kenya got seven gold medals at the event
that was held in Punta Umbria, Spain.
“It is through participation in the series that we
will be able to gauge the athlete’s potential that is the reason we are making
it as a rule that all athletes should participate in the series,” said
Kiplagat.
The AK plan was financially backed by the Kenya
Commercial Bank that has injected kSh10.6 million at the 2012/2013 national
cross country series that kicks off in Nyahururu town on November 3.
Part of the sponsorship will be used to select the
best athletes that will be put in camp as early as possible for the 2013 World
Cross Country Championship.
“We have to prepare well to defend the title but our
aim is for a perfect finish, just the way we did it two years ago. It is
possible with us and we are glad that KCB has come on board to help us realize
this, “said Kiplagat at the launch.
AK will hold seven series before the national cross
country selection for the team that will represent the country in Poland next
year.
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