Kenyans In Camp

Turnout at camp impresses games officials

By Bismarck Mutahi

Former Olympic Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Reuben Kosgei and Olympic 5,000m silver medalist Isabella Ochichi are among athletes who have reported to the Commonwealth Games camp at Kasarani.

Almost three quarters of the team for the Melbourne Games in Australia next month had turned up by yesterday.

In athletics, 28 out of the 38 runners trained yesterday morning under coaches John Anzrah and George Kariuki.

"This is a sign of good things considering the athletes were to start reporting on Sunday evening and now we have almost a full house, " Kariuki who will travel as the walking race coach said.

Anzrah will be handle the sprinters. He echoed Kariuki’s sentiments saying it was much promising compared to previous camps. The Games Chief de Mission, David Okeyo, said the turnout was historic.

Other star names including Afro-Asian Games 400m champion Ezra Sambu and one lap specialist Vincent Mumo have also reported.

However, the youngster Augustine Choge and 5,000m world champion Benjamin Limo were yet to report to camp by yesterday afternoon. According to coach Daniel Kororia, the two had called to say they were on their way. Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi who is among the star names that opted to run in the Commonwealth Games was also been awaited at the camp.

A number of big track names opted to run in the lucrative Golden Leagues and the IAAF indoor championships.

The athletes in camp include: Thomas Musembi (400m), Julius Kirwa, Churchil Kipsang (1,500m), Wesley Kiprotich (3,000ms/c), Alex Kipchirchir (800m) and Celesio Njiru (4x400m relay).

Others are Dan Katonon (400m hurdles), John Litei and Ismael Kombich (800m), Haron Kaittany and Jonathan Komen (1,500m), Paul Langat and George Siele (10,000m) and Jacob Yator (marathon).

In the women team were : Florence Wasike (400m), Esther Chebor and Jackline Chemwok (3,000m s/c), Innes Chenonges (5,000m), Janet Busienei and Caroline Chepkwony (800m) and Rose Nyangacha (marathon).

Another marathoner Hellen Cherono will be racing in Japan over the weekend but will join the rest later. Paralympics: A check at the paralympic camp also witnessed a full house as all the 13 athletes and five officials had reported. Rugby: The sevens team has also checked in, but have opted to train at Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) grounds at Ruaraka for the time being.

Boxing: The team that has been training at Ruiru has joined the rest in camp and trained yesterday. Cycling: Both the cycling and badminton teams are not in camp as they are training out of the country.

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