Kenya Paralympics named 36 athletes for the postponed second edition of the East Africa Community Para Games.
The team was named two weeks ago during the national trials set for Wilson Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, formerly Kericho Green Stadium.
Kenya Paralympic president, Ronald Mirale said the event will serve as a build-up for next year's Paralympic Games in Paris, France.
“After completion of trials, the athletes are training individually at their respective bases. Despite the postponement of the games, we are confident of dominating,” said Mirale.
The 10-day games earlier set for December 12- 22 in Kigali, Rwanda have been moved to January 26. Three athletes among them para rower Assia Mohammed and 1,500m runner Wesley Sang have already qualified for the Paris Games.
“The various teams and athletes have been training despite being hampered by the current heavy rains, especially in Eldoret. However, that has not stopped them from training,” said Mirale.
He added that come February, the majority of athletes will be competing at the World Para Championships as part of their direct ticket to Paris.
“We shall have very congested fixtures for our athletes on their road to Paris. After Kigali, we shall travel to Kobe, Japan for a direct ticket,” said Mirale.
Sang and World Paralympic Games 1,500m champion Nancy Jelangat will lead the Kenyan contingent after the successful trials.
Sang, who was the first athlete to qualify for Paris during the World Championships staged in France in early July this year, is training in Eldoret ahead of the games.
Out of the 38 athletes selected for the Kigali Games, nine are from Uasin Gishu County with Sang leading the way alongside Brian Esogon, Fausia Sifuna, Aron Kipkoech, Evans Rutto, Japhan Kirwa, Laban Kesio, Nelly Sile and Fredrick Oduori.
Full Team
Men: 1,500m—Wesley Sang (T46), Evans Rutto (T46), Felix Kipruto- 1,500m (T46), Japhan Kirwa (T38) Bernard Langat- (T11) and Samuel Mushai- T11; 5,000m: Erick Sang (T11), Samuel Mushai (T11), Wilson Bii (T11) and Bernard Kiplagat (T11); 400m: Brian Esogon (T12), John Njoroge (T11) and Jonathan Kyalo (T36); 100m: Brian Esogon (T12) and Jonathan Kyalo (T36); Shot Put: Fredrick Odiwour: Javelin: Aaron Kipkoech (F54), Laban Kesio (F54), Nathan Kemboi (F46), Laban Kiprotich (F46), Emmanuel bett (F36) and David Onyikwa (F57)
Women
Javelin: Nelly Sile (F55); Shot Put: Rajab Chetty (F11), Ann Wachuka (F55), Josephine Ashivaka (F40) and Fauzia Sifuna (F44); Discus: Sylvia Olero (F44), Fauzia Sifuna (F44) and Evalyne kalundu (F11); 1,500m: Nancy Chelangat (T11), Priscah Chepekemi (T11), Nelly Nasimiyu (T12) and Mary Waithera (T11); 400m: Nelly Nasimiyu (T12) and Priscah jepkemoi (T11).
