At least nine athletes from Uasin Gishu County have won the bragging rights to fly the national flag at the East African Regional Paralympic Track and Field Games in Rwanda.
The nine were selected after they dominated the athletics fixtures at the National Paralympic Track and Field Trials in Kericho County. Their excellence reaffirmed the County’s position as the undisputed athletics powerhouse by winning top positions.
The nine are Brian Esogon, Wesley Sang, Fausia Sifuna, Aron Kipkoech,Evans Rutto, Japhan Kirwa, Laban Kesio, Nelly Sile, Fredrick Oduori. They are among the 38 athletes to represent Kenya at the regional games coming up towards the end of November 2023.
Uasin Gishu clinched first and second positions in the men’s 1500 metres through Wesley Sang and Evans Ruto as their brother from Nandi County, Felix Kipruto wound up third.
Brian Esegon from Soy Sub-County proved too fast to catch in a 200-metre men’s race as he led from gun to tape to finish first, among other notable performances.
Highest number of athletes
The stellar performances put the champions at the top of the pile, being a County that produced the highest number out of the 15 devolved units that participated in the trials.
Athletes with different disabilities; partial and total blindness, amputated and deformed legs and hands, participated in the trials that ended on Friday evening at Kericho Green Stadium.
“Athletes from Uasin Gishu have made us proud by dominating in most disciplines here. Getting such a number from our county to represent Kenya means we are indeed the champions,” said Director of Sports Development, Henry Mukolwe.
“The County through the Department of Sports is working to ensure that we grow and nurture talents in all sports and people living with different abilities are incorporated in these plans,” he added.
“We are grateful for the County for the sponsorship, at least we have made our Governor proud,” Joseph Ochieng, the technical director of the National Paralympics Federation, said.
An elated Esegon can’t wait to don the national colours: “It is a dream come true to wear national colours. We present our special gratitude to (the Governor) for sponsoring us to come and try our best here and it has paid off.”
The regional games in Rwanda form part of the permit meetings, a build-up and a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
