By Athletics Kenya Media Team
Athletics Kenya (AK) youth development chair Barnaba Korir says the federation is determined to assemble a formidable squad capable of fighting for global honours at the upcoming World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene.
The championships are scheduled for August 2-9, with Kenya now shifting focus to the National Trials set for May 21-23 at the Nyayo National Stadium. Korir stressed the importance of having a strong squad for the global junior showpiece.
“We want to have a very strong team. We want to prepare well so that we can send a very strong team that will not just participate but fight for glory. The competition nowadays is very tight, not only from our neighbours but also from other teams from across the world. We have to be ready for competition,” Korir said.
Kenya will be keen on a strong display to better the last edition of the World U20 championships in Lima, Peru, in 2024. In Peru, Kenya finished fifth in the overall medal standings after amassing seven medals (three gold, three silver and one bronze).
How many athletes have been invited for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships trials?
Korir confirmed that more than 200 junior athletes have been invited for the trials, with the federation adopting a strict selection and vetting process to identify the country’s most promising young talents.
“We have invited more than 200 athletes for the trials based on strict criteria,” he said while explaining that the trials will strictly be an invite-only affair, ruling out open participation as the federation seeks to maintain quality and integrity in team selection.
“We are not having an open championship, where anyone can just come and compete. We have identified athletes who will come to compete,” he added.
According to Korir, the majority of the invited athletes earned their places through outstanding performances at the national term one School games staged in April in Kisumu.
“The majority of our invited athletes are from the recently concluded National Term One Games in Kisumu,” he said.
Beyond performances on the track, invited athletes were also required to satisfy stringent anti-doping and documentation regulations as Kenya intensifies efforts to eliminate age manipulation in junior athletics.
We have been given strict regulations. We need to observe matters related to doping and proper documentation.”
Korir revealed that World Athletics has strengthened measures aimed at curbing age cheating at global junior competitions, forcing federations to subject athletes to deeper scrutiny.
“We are still under scrutiny of age manipulation, so we need to ensure everyone is vetted. Currently, it’s not only the birth certificates and passports, but there are also other requirements we have been given by World Athletics,” he said.
Selection criteria for Team Kenya’s World Athletics Under-20 Championships trials
From the fiercely contested trials, only two athletes per event will secure slots on Team Kenya, with the federation projecting a squad of approximately 36 athletes for Eugene.
“From the trials, the first athlete to cross the line will be automatically selected, provided they have met all World Athletics and anti-doping requirements. The second athlete will be selected by a panel of judges. We will select two athletes per event,” the AK official explained.
Once the squad is selected, the athletes’ details will be forwarded to World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit for further verification on age eligibility and anti-doping compliance.
Korir also called on Kenyans to turn up in large numbers and rally behind the country’s budding stars as they battle for the honour of wearing the national colours.
