Nyanza secondary Schools track and field championship has been moved to allow athletes to attend the national Under-18 and Under-20 trials.
Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Nyanza region's secretary Tom Odhiambo said athletics will now be held on Monday and Tuesday at Homa Bay High School.
“This will allow students to attend national trials which will be in Nairobi on March 21 and 22 at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani,” said Odhiambo.
Nyanza were earlier scheduled to hold the event on March 19 and 20 but the dates clash with the national trials.
“We shall have our clinics on Saturday and we expect all teams to arrive on Monday in readiness for the championship.”
The national trials will be used to select Team Kenya to the 3rd Confederation of Africa Athletics Under 18 and the 14th Under-20 championships to be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast from April 13 to 20.
Yesterday, Mogonga High School coach and Principal Haroun Onchong’a welcomed the changes.“I’m comfortable with the new dates because my athletes will participate in the regionals and travel to Nairobi for the national trials,” he added.
Onchong’a said he is confident of dominating the athletics scene in Nyanza. “We dominated the Kisii County Championships and we want to rule regionals next week,” said Onchong’a.
Mogonga will, however, face stiff competition from local rivals St Peter’s Keberesi in long-distance races and cross country. Mogonga has 33 students representing Kisii County out of 70.
Mogonga’s athletes dominated sprints, jumps, relays and throws at Tendere secondary last week. “My athletes also did well in the middle and long distance. I have an all-around team,” he added. World Under-18 race walking bronze medalist, Dominic Ndigiti, however, said he will not defend his regional title in Homa Bay.“My focus is the national Under-20 trials at the moment. I want to go to Ivory Coast to represent my country. If I qualify, my target will be a podium finish,” Ndigiti told the Star.
