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Momanyi Set for Athletics Meeting in Kisii

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Published on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 17:45

Commonwealth 10, 000m champion Grace Momanyi is the latest star to confirm participation in the 3rd edition of Athletics Kenya/ National Bank weekend meeting starting tomorrow at Gusii Stadium.

Momanyi, who hails from Kisii, said she would like to run before home fans as a way of reciprocating their support for the last few years. "Most of them have only seen me running on television as not everybody can afford to travel to Nairobi to watch races. It will be nice to run before my home fans this weekend as they have been very supportive," she said.

Momanyi said the event will serve as a build-up for the season, which she described as busy. " We all know that this is a busy year for all athletes and we need to start early if we are to succeed," he said.

She said she is happy to have learnt that top names including former world 800m champion Janet Jepkosgei and Olympic 1,500m champion will be in Kisii for the big extravaganza.

AK public relations officer Peter Angwenyi said they expect over 1,000 athletes for the two-day event. He said besides the mid and long distance races, the focus will also be on sprints, where some big names have entered.

He said sprinters are not taking any chances as they prepare for both the World Championships and the All Africa Games. " Our sprints have gone a notch higher and the athletes are realising that they can do better after their good showing in last year's Africa Championships in Nairobi and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. Besides, our relay team has already qualified for the World Championships and are using the local meetings to sharpen up," he added.

He said Commonwealth 400m champion Mark Mutai will be in Kisii alongside Vincent Mumo and Douglas Makori. Fast-rising sprinter Millicent Ndoro will also be present. He said the Armed Forces, Prisons and Police units are also expected to renew their rivalry at Gusii.

Angwenyi, who is also AK Nyanza South branch chairman said the Gusii event will feature 34 disciplines. He, however, said pole vault and high jump will not be competed for due to lack of landing gears. "We are not going to have pole vault and high jump because we lack landing gears," he said.