Who will save Kenya, Uganda sprinters?

That Kenya could not produce women’s 4x400m and 4x200m teams for the World Relay Championships due May 1-2 in Bahamas is devastating.

The fact that Uganda, who have in the past boasted of quality sprinters, saw it insignificant to send its representatives for the Kenyan National Relay Championships finals, begs more questions than answers on the region’s commitment to compete with the rest of the world in the short races.

Uganda Athletics said their standards were not up to the required standard with their season just picking up while Athletics Kenya bypassed their sprinters after posting poor results at the National Championships.

The Nigeria team that graced the Kenyan Championships held April 10 at Safaricom Stadium was in splendid form winning the 4x400m in 3:31.27 minutes, beating Kenya “A” team by almost five seconds.

Kenya team had Jacinta Shikanda, Francisca Koki, Veronica Mutua and Joyce Zakari.

Patience George Okon, who was in the 4x400m that won the Africa title, anchored her team of Omolara Omotosho, Ossai Rita and Oluwatosin Adeloye to victory.

The Nigerian team won bronze at the World Relays last year.

Kenya “A” women’s 4x200m team of Eunice Kadogo, Hellen Syombua, Fresha Mwangi and Millicent Ndoro clocked 1:37.1.

The only reprieve for some female sprinters came in the medley relay teams that has replaced 4x1, 500m at the World Relays. The event that features 1,200m, 400m, 800m and 1,600m has Joyce Zakari and Francisca Koki, who are the 200m and 400m specialists.

Last year, Uganda only took part in the 4x400m men’s race at the Kenyan trials but send the 4x800m team at the World Relays. Kenya, who had teams in 4x800m and 4x1,500m men and women, were later forced to include the 4x400m and 4x200m men teams after protests from local athletes.

The 4x200m team would prove the critics wrong, reaching the final to finish fifth. The team that had Carvin Nkanata, who now holds the world lead of 20.14 in 200m, Stephen Barasa, Tony Kipruto Chirchir and Walter Moenga, clocked a national record time of 1:22.35.

POOR STANDARDS

Even though open with no qualifying time, Athletics Kenya vice president David Okeyo said the women’s standards in 4x200m are below par while the 4x400m team failed to attain the qualifying mark of 3:35.80.

But what is it that Kenya are Uganda are not getting right in sprints? There is always the call for better facilities and exposure but nothing has been forthcoming what with athletes finding it hard to gain access to the limited facilities that are in place.
Veteran sprint coaches Rose Tata-Muya and Steve Mwaniki believe that consistency will be the short term solution to sprints in the region.

Tata-Muya said that consistency will be attained if coaches and AK team and put up camps for sprinters. “We need to set up camps across the country especially in low altitude areas like Mombasa, Nairobi and Western Kenya to tap talent,” said Muya.

Muya said the world lead by Nkanata in 200m shows that with facilities and exposure, Kenyan sprinters can match their middle and long distance counterparts. “We need to take our athletes for bigger competitions outside the country. It’s from there that they will learn,” she added.

“A lot of talent is coming through but there are no structures for follow up hence that talent goes to the drain. We need consistency from AK, coach and athletes,” explained Mwaniki.

The national 200m champion Collins Omae, who is the overall team captain for the World Relays, reckoned that sprinters lag behind due to lack of proper facilities and support from the government.

“Rarely do our sprinters access state of the art gymnasium,” said Omae. “Every sprinter must have access to a tartan track but that is rarely the case here.”

Omae wants Kenyan coaches to strive and upgrade their training techniques adding that Kenya has always lost the battle at the baton exchange stage and when getting off the blocks.

“We must prioritise baton exchange techniques since it’s the speed of the baton that will count and that is where the game is. If we get it right then we shall be home and dry,” said Omae.

One would also have expected Uganda, who are a force to reckon with in sprints events in the region, to present teams in the 4x200m. The country has also been on the rise in the middle distance races.

NOT FOCUSED

Ugandan sports journalists Sunday Basaija slammed Athletics Uganda chiefs saying they are not focused on the World Relays.

According to Basaija, UA picked guest athletes who didn’t merit to compete in the 4x800m men’s team and the results were not forthcoming. “We have athletes who can compete well but poor planning from the local federation is one of the factors hindering growth in sprints,” opined Basaija.

Athletics Uganda secretary Beatrice Ayikoru said that Uganda has just started its track and field events hence unable to prepare the athletes on time for World Relays.

“Looking at the qualifying standards in 4x100m and 4x400m, we have to weigh whether we have the capacity to perform well. We just can’t send teams there as we have to look at some factors,” said Ayikoru adding that they don’t have athletes for the 4x100 and 4x400m since its early in this season and athletes are trying to pick up.

Ayikoru blamed poor facilities and lack of exposure to Uganda's slump in standards in sprints.

UA public relations officer Namayo Mawerere said with proper funding, they would produce world beaters. “They need to have access to tartan track for quality training,” said Mawerere.