Date set for ‘Team Kenya’ camp
Long jumper Bethwel Lagat trains at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on February 15, 2018 ahead of the Commonwealth Games trials. The Kenyan team’s camp officially opens on March 2. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Kenya’s team to the Commonwealth Games will officially start residential training on March 2 ahead of the games in Gold Coast, Australia.
- The games will run from April 4 to 15.
Kenya’s team to the Commonwealth Games will officially start residential training on March 2 ahead of the games in Gold Coast, Australia.
The games will run from April 4 to 15.
Making the announcement Tuesday, “Team Kenya” chef de mission, Barnaba Korir, disclosed that out of the 16 disciplines, only the swimming federation was yet to name its team for the “Club” games.
Cycling, badminton, cycling and para swimming federations are the latest to do their selection as the Kenyan management finalised accreditation, documentation and travelling arrangements for the team.
Korir said while the athletics team — that selected its squad of 65 athletes and nine officials on Saturday — will camp in Nairobi, the boxing team will train in Nakuru with the triathlon team putting up in Mombasa and later Eldoret.
The cycling team will train in Murang’a with the rest of the teams settling in at various centres in Nairobi.
Korir said even though they are faced challenges in training venues, especially for athletics with Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium under renovation, they will put up with what they have.
Team’s official carrier
Athletics will use the warm-up track for training but Korir noted that they will be forced to seek accommodation elsewhere since the hostels at Kasarani are also under renovation.
Korir said the government is expected to release funds for training by today, adding that the team’s documentation and accreditation is going on smoothly with Kenya Airways taking over as the team’s official carrier to the games.
The team will leave for Gold Coast in batches via Bangkok. The first batch leaves on March 24 followed by the next on March 26 and March 30 respectively.
From Bangkok they will connect to Brisbane, Australia, from where they will leave by bus to Gold Coast.
The marathon teams will be the last to depart on April 8 since their competitions take place on the final day of the games on April 15.
“The hiccups that involved the kitting from Nike have been addressed and all the equipment should be in the country by the end of the month,” said Korir.
