Kenya sports director Jaxon Indakwa reckons the facilities at the pre-Paralympics camp in Compiegne will be pivotal for Team Kenya's success in the upcoming Games set for August 28 to September 8.
Team Kenya will for the first time in history field 14 athletes across five disciplines (athletics, rowing, powerlifting, cycling, and taekwondo) at the Paralympics.
Indakwa is confident the training camp in northern France will be crucial for Team Kenya’s success.
“Our athletes will be in Compiegne to hone their skills for the fast-approaching Paralympics. I believe the facilities there will be crucial for the team's success,” he stated.
At the 2020 Games, Kenya secured one medal, a bronze by Nancy Chelangat in the women's 1,500m T11 (4:52.54), behind Mexico’s Olivia Rodriguez (4:47.27) and China’s He Shanshan (4:52.40).
Kenya's best-ever medal haul at the Paralympics was in Beijing 2008, where the nation bagged nine medals (five gold, three silver and one bronze) to rank in position 27.
Indakwa noted that the Compiegne facilities meet all government and national Paralympic committee standards. “The National Paralympics Committee of Kenya and government officials have visited the camp and approved it,” he noted.
He praised the top-notch facilities that will propel Kenya to success.
“The training equipment at the camp is state-of-the-art. Training together will build team chemistry,” he added. Indakwa was speaking as he welcomed the first group of Paralympic athletes in Paris.
“The first batch of athletes arrived on Thursday morning and we received them well. The other batch is set to arrive on Friday morning and we will be there to receive them and welcome them to France,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the government for its support of the Paralympians.
“The government has given us full support as we prepare our athletes for the Paralympics,” he noted.
Leading Team Kenya’s charge in Paris are Nancy Chelangat (Guide Geoffrey Rotich), Mary Waithera (Guide James Boit), and Prisca Jepkemoi (Guide Kenneth Lagat) in the 1,500m T11 category.
Making his fifth Paralympic appearance, Samuel Mushai will pair with Guide Jean Kipchumba in the 5,000m T11.
Other athletic stars include John Lokedi (5,000m T13), Wesley Sang (1,500m T46), Samson Ojuka (Long Jump T37), and Sheila Wanyonyi (Javelin F12).
Cyclists Dedan Ireri Maina and Kennedy Ogada, the dynamic taekwondo duo of Stacy Neema and Julieta Moipo, rower Asiya Sururu and powerlifter Hellen Wawira complete the team.
