Nairobi — The nationwide trials for the African Video games hangs in limbo as athletes protest the choice standards for the continental championships set to start this week in Accra, Ghana.
The trials have been scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at Nyayo Stadium however athletes are but to take to the observe and discipline, complaining that deciding on just one particular person per class is unfair to them.
The athletes are insisting that three greatest positioned finishers be picked in every class of competitors to supply as many alternatives as attainable to the upcoming ones amongst them.
“It needs to be primary, two and three being picked for the video games. We must be thoughtful of the upcoming athletes as effectively. Personally, I would not thoughts giving my slot to a younger athlete however let’s be truthful with the choice standards,” the Commonwealth Video games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal mentioned.
Talking on the identical time, Kenya Nationwide Sports activities Council (KNSC) Andrew Mudibo requested the athletes to draft a petition with their calls for and current them to AK.
“Afterwards, they (AK) will current it to us after which we are going to current it to the federal government to see what may be finished,” Mudibo mentioned.
Athletics Kenya (AK) had on Thursday final week mentioned it will solely be selecting one athlete per class to signify Kenya on the thirteenth version of the video games.
AK vp Paul Mutwii mentioned this had been occasioned by the truth that athletics had solely been allotted 30 slots in Staff Kenya’s contingent to Accra.
This raised issues that Kenya will return its lowest ever medal tally from the video games though AK treasurer David Miano insisted they would choose a staff stuffed with medal prospects.
“Not essentially…as a result of the athletes chosen would be the better of one of the best of their respective classes of competitors. They’re medal prospects with one of the best likelihood of successful gold. Hopefully, different sports activities disciplines will play their half and carry out effectively as effectively,” Miano mentioned.
Athletics has claimed the lion’s share of the 442 medals received by Kenya within the 58-year historical past of the video games.