SOPOT, Poland, March 9 – Three years after winning the World junior title, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku scaled the heights in the most sensational fashion when he won the men 3000m while defending champion, Hellen Obiri, took silver in the corresponding women’s race as the World Indoor Championships closed in Sopot on Sunday.

The pair gave their country the only medals at the three-day event to place Kenya seventh in the final standings with Ethiopia, who won two golds topping the African charts.

Ndiku, who qualified for the medal race the winner of his heat, closed in for glory in 7:54.94 after edging a tactical dash for the line in the final lap as Kenyan born American veteran, Bernard Lagat continued to defy age (39) to settle for the second medal in 7:55.22.

A fourth gold medal in the event would have put Lagat one victory ahead of Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie in the all-time annals of the World Indoor Championships.

But the 39-year-old Lagat, who claimed the first of his three world indoor titles in 2004 when he raced for his native Kenya, had not counted on the fast last-lap pace of the towering 21-year-old Ndiku.

“I am very happy. I would like to thank God for the power he gave me. This medal is a good thing for me because since three years ago, since my medal at the World Juniors, I did not get a medal.

“I knew that Lagat and Gebremesekel were good, but I also knew that I was fast in the last lap so I had to wait and see, I did not waste my energy. In the future, I do not know which event I will do – 1500m or 3000m – I have to see with my coach,” the ecstatic Ndiku, who bagged the world junior 1500m outdoor title in Bydgoszcz, Poland in 2010 said after mowing the strong field for more Polish delight.

The veteran was full of praise for the youngster who upstaged him, conceding the winner was the better athlete on the day.

“The Kenyan guy Ndiku was running a very wise and smart race. I am happy with my performance and my fifth appearance at the Campionships. The next motivation for me will be the Continental Cup in September and I am also curious how fast I can run outdoors competing at 3 and 5K.The race was tactical, as I expected for the final, going fast – slow – fast – slow,” Lagat, known in athletics circles as ‘daddy’ said.

“But my experience helped me to keep with the rest and the medal is a great result for me. I’m happy with my performance in my fifth appearance at the championships. I can tell you I gave 110 percent today and all these guys were running so well,” the silver medallist added.

Briton Andrew Vernon took up the early running in the longest race of the world indoors, comprising 15 laps of the blue 200-metre track at Sopot’s Ergo Arena. Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet, the world 5000m silver medallist and the fastest man in the discipline this season, soon took over with silver medallist from Istanbul two years ago, Augustine Kiprono Choge on his shoulder.

Choge upped the pace, taking the Ethiopian and New Zealander Zane Robertson with him, Lagat and Ndiku happy to sit in the middle of the chasing pack. At the halfway stage, Gebrhiwet again speeded up, stringing the pack out, Ndiku also moving through the field to push the pace.

With two laps left, Ndiku put in another spurt and Lagat came wide past the two Ethiopians. At the bell, Ndiku still held the lead, anticipating Lagat’s trademark kick.

The American pushed, but it was obvious he did not have enough in his legs to make it past the towering Kenyan as Ethiopian, Dejen Gebremeskel, trailed the pair for bronze in 7:55.39.

Lagat’s teammate Galen Rupp, the training partner of absent Briton Mo Farah, finished in fourth ahead of Gebrhiwet as Choge disappointment ended in a 9th finish in 7:57.46.

Genzebe ends Obiri’s reign

In the women’s final, world record holder, Genzebe Diababa of Ethiopia fulfilled her favourite role to perfection, clinching her second World Indoor title in 8:55.04 as outgoing champion, Obiri, hang on her coattails for the silver lining in 8:57.72.

Bahrain’s Maryman Yusuf Jamal (8:59.16) came in for bronze ahead of Kenya’s Irene Jelagat (9:02.67) who placed just outside the podium.

“I am so happy. I came to defend my indoor title, but the competition was tough as Dibaba is the world record holder. I stayed behind her to push me.

“I have something to bring back home so I am thankful for that. I am going to rest for a few weeks and prepare for the Commonwealth Games in the 1500m,” the silver medallist graciously accepted the might of the youngest of the Dibaba sister’s dynasty who has broken three world records this winter, was a barrier too far for her.

“I moved up with about eight laps to go, but I couldn’t shake them off, so I had to increase the pace with 800 to go. That was what we had discussed before the race with my coach.

“This year, I’ve added 3000m World Championships gold to three world records, and it’s been a great year for me. My sister Tirunesh also wanted me to focus on the gold, and not the time. I know they will be very happy. I have done what they hoped and expected,” the gold winner added.

Ethiopian Mohammed Aman defended his 800m title in 1min 46.40sec for gold, with Polish duo Adam Kszczot (1:46.76) and Marcin Lewandowski (1:47.09) taking silver and bronze.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 10- President Uhuru Kenyatta commended Greg Snow and Dismas Indiza for their splendid performance during the just concluded Barclays Kenya Open despite local golfers failing to land the trophy for the 47th year.

The Head of State who was at hand to present trophies as the European Challenge Tour event ended at Karen Country Club on Sunday, pointed out establishment of golf courses across the country will encourage inter-County tournaments which will advance the quest for real peace, harmonious co-existence and social integration.

Snow carded 282 for the tournament for jointed tenth as he finished as the highest placed Kenyan for the second year in a row while Indiza, a shot back, was tied for 13th.

The pair were the only locals to make the cut as the country’s wait for a first domestic Kenya Open winner rolls over to the 48th year.

Jacob Okello is the closest the country has come to glory after he lost the 1998 edition on sudden death tee-off.

Jake Roos of South Africa won the tournament after a dramatic final day where Snow and Indiza who were a shot and two shots off the lead at the start of the final day faltered.

Roos was awarded 32,000 Euros with Andrein Bernadet of France who tied with Lasse Jensen from Denmark taking home 16,000 Euros each for tying in second.

The President added the fact the game of golf is re-asserting itself as a popular contemporary sport cannot be gainsaid; hence the need for golf clubs in the country to designate days and time for school children to learn and play the game on their courses.

“Worldwide, the game is making its way back to the Olympic Games. I am informed it will be played in the 2016 edition of the Olympic Games.

“I also understand that at a lower level, the game will be played by the youth in the Youth Africa Games, which will take place in Botswana, and the Youth Olympic Games to be held in China this year,” he underscored.

Retired president and patron of Kenya Golf Union, Mwai Kibaki, called for a proper framework for the game to be put in place to encourage more Kenyans to take up the sport.

“To this end, I strongly urge county-level golf start-up to link up with the Kenya Golf Union in order to establish a unified framework for a more energized county-based golf circuit across the country,” Kibaki noted.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 10 –Kenya will bid for the 2017 IAAF World Youth Championships in Nairobi, Athletics Kenya (AK) President Isaiah Kiplagat announced on Monday.

Speaking during the launch of second Safaricom Athletics Series, Kiplagat said they are waiting for Government endorsement letter to submit their application before April 4 deadline.

“It’s not a difficult event to organise since there will be about 150 countries coming so if the State gives us the go a head we will prepare the necessary documents and forward it to IAAF before the deadline,” the AK boss confirmed.

IAAF announced on March 7 on its website the opening of a new bid processes for several events including the 2017 World Youth.

The deadline for receipt of a Letter of Intent is April 7. The cities will then receive bid documentation by the end of April with completed bid applications and documentation to be handed in on September 22 with presentation to the IAAF Council and the final decision taking place in November.

The biennial global showpiece is open to athletes who are 17 years or younger but not under 14, and has acted as the springboard to international stardom for athletes such as multiple Olympics and Worlds sprint champion, Usain Bolt of Jamaica, 2011 double World champion, Vivian Cheruiyot and recently graduated two-time World Cross junior champion, Faith Chepng’etich among a multitude of others.

The event first ran in 1999 in Bydgoszcz, Poland where the world first saw Cheruiyot will next be held in Cali, Colombia in 2015 with Donetsk, Ukraine hosting the latest running last year.

Kenya hosted the 2007 IAAF World Cross in Mombasa with Nairobi, the preferred venue of the World Youth staging the 2010 Africa Athletics Championships.

At the same time, the AK boss stated they will select a strong relay team for inaugural IAAF World Relay Championships in Bahamas on May 23 and 24.

“This is the first relay championships organized by IAAF, and there is no reason why we should not come back with four Gold Medals in 4 x 800m and 4 x 1500m men and women since Kenya is the world record holder.

“We may bank our hopes on 4 x 400 which won the African championships in Maputo, Mozambique and went on to fly our flag in London Olympics. This is one way of building sprinters in our country and I’m happy for the support we have received from Safaricom,” he added.

This year’s Safaricom Athletics Series will incorporate relay meetings that will be used to select team to represent the country in Bahamas.

Speaking while unveiling a sponsorship of Sh80m (USD923,788) Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, said the introduction of Relay is in fulfillment of the company’s pledge to nurture the growth of short races in Kenya.

“The relay was born here at Kasarani when I was seeing off the 2012 London Olympics team, where the then captain David Rudisha, asked me to support the initiative, and I said why not, if we can do well in long distance we can also excel in short races.

“We made the commitment to support the short distance working together with Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya (AK). This is the beginning of our wide focus in athletics,” the Safaricom chief stated.

The national relay team will be selected during the trials that will be held in three phases at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium, starting March 22 with the preliminary, then head for April 5 for the second round before the finals on the weekend of April 26.

The mobile provider will also for the first time sponsor Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya (DAAK) Marathon under the series to be held in Kisumu after the success of DAAK athletics championships held last year.

This year’s series long distance races will start with the May 18 Deaf Athletics Marathon in Kisumu Country.

Last years overall winners, men’s Full and Half Marathon team Nyansiongo and women’s champions from Nandi County, received Sh300, 000(USD 3,464.21 USD).

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 11 – National team Tusker Simba XV will take on South Africa titans Western Province on June 7 in a glamour friendly ahead of their Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Cup that will also serve as 2015 rugby World Cup qualifiers.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman, Mwangi Muthee, the national team that is currently on tour for the Vodacom Cup will take on one of South Africa’s most popular sides and previous champions Province, who have won a record 33 Currie Cups, the Absa Nite Series and the Lions Cup in what will be a huge test to their development.

He was speaking Tuesday during the launch of this year’s Bamburi Rugby Super Series that will run on the weekend of April 26.

Tusker Simba XV opened their Vodacom campaign in dream fashion by holding on to floor Eastern Province Kings 17-10 in their opener last Saturday.

“Once we are through with Vodacom our ambition is to play in the senior CAR Cup and finally become a test playing nation since we have what it takes to beat big teams in Africa.

“Western Province has been very instrumental in development of 15s rugby in our country. They donated the head coach Jerome Paarwatar to us and were very instrumental to our negotiations with South African Union to have our team play in Vodacom Cup,” he underlined.

“Kenyans need to see their own team in action against a first class team and that’s why we have organized the test match since it will be a rehearsal for the World Cup qualifiers,” the KRU boss declared.

Kenya will be seeking to defend her continental title when they take on host Madagascar, Namibia and Zimbabwe in a round robin format and also qualify for the global showpiece for the first time ever.

England will host 2015 World Cup from September 18 to October 31.

The 11th Super Series will see the franchises reduced to six, with Kenya producing four (Ndovu, Kifaru, Chui and Papa) while Uganda will be presented by two (Victoria and Ruwenzori)

Tournament director, Godwin Karuga, said they considered to work with fewer teams so that they can stage a professional competition.

“We want to have elite rugby this season and that’s why we have condensed the franchise. Every team that consists of a squad of 25 will have opportunity of selecting top 100 players from their regions.

“Our 15s national team is three games away to the World Cup and it’s our strong believe they will qualify. The format has changed because we want to run a competitive tournament.”

Commenting on this year’s tournament, Muthee said the competition will be rotating in all the Counties to make Kenya a rugby playing nation.

“The Super Series started with the intention of developing about 100 players across the country. The players are under the watchful eye of scouts so they should take this competition seriously.

“We want to spread rugby all over the country to develop at tap talent at the grassroots.”

Ndovu will incorporate Nakuru RFC, Eldoret, Kisumu and Western Bulls while Chui will consist of Nondescript, Lunch Bar Quins and Impala with Papa featuring KCB, Homeboyz and Mwamba.

Kifaru will see all the universities form a team.

Defending champions Ndovu are in Pool A alongside Chui and Victoria while last year’s runners up Ruwenzori headline Pool B alongside Papa and Kifaru.

Victoria will open the tournament against Chui in Kampala before Ruwenzori welcomes Papa.

The May 3 fixtures will additionally see Papa play Kifaru while Ndovu host Victoria in Kakamega County. Nakuru will host May 17 fixture where Kifaru invites Ruwenzori before Ndovu takes on Chui.

The semifinals are slotted for May 24 in Machakos with the finals scheduled for June 7 at RFUEA Grounds.

Bamburi Cement Limited sponsored this year’s event to a tune of Sh20m (USD 231, 080.4).

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 11- The Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology in Nakuru will this weekend host the first National Bank/Athletics Kenya weekend track and field meeting on Friday and Saturday.

This was announced Tuesday by Athletics Kenya vice-president in charge of competitions, David Okeyo, after a meeting of the AK board confirmed the venue and other arrangements.

Okeyo said he expected Kenya’s elite athletes to show up as part of their preparation for the busy local and international programme that will also feature the IAAF Diamond League Series that begin in Doha, Qatar, on May 9.

The Nakuru championship will be the first in a series of five weekend meeting whose climax will be the National Championships that will also pick Kenya’s team to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3.

Other weekend meetings will be held in Bondo (March 28-29), Kisii (April 11-12), Mumias (May 2-3) and Nairobi (May 9-10) while the National Championships will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium from June 5 to 7.

The busy 2014 athletics season will also feature the inaugural IAAF World Relays Championship in Nassau, Bahamas on May 24 and 25, the IAAF World Half Marathon in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 29 and the IAAF World Junior Championships in Eugene, USA, from June 22 to 27.

“We have a busy season ahead of us that’s why we would like all our affiliates to hit the ground running by sending competitive teams to the opening round of the weekend meetings in Nakuru this Friday,” Okeyo said.

Also on the programme this season are the Africa Youth Championships in Gaborone, Botswana, from May 22 to 31 as a curtain raiser to the second Youth Olympic Games to be held in Nanjing, China, from August 16 to 28.

Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat will address his first monthly Press Briefing at the association’s headquarters at Riadha House in Nairobi from 10.00am local time Wednesday.

The President’s newly-introduced monthly Press Briefing will subsequently be held every second Wednesday of the month and will touch on topical issues, allowing journalists to engage the president on various concerns around track and field.

-Athletics Kenya Communications

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 12 – Athletics Kenya (AK) will place more emphasis on future editions of the IAAF World Indoor Championships in a bid to close the gap with arch rivals Ethiopia who are running away with the bragging rights in the closed-circuit global showpiece.

Kenya trail 53-26 in the all-time World Indoor medal charts to their bitter northern neighbours after the conclusion of the 2014 edition to the event in Sopot, Poland, where Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku and Helen Obiri Onsando won the country’s only honours with gold and silver in the corresponding men and women 3000m races.

Ethiopia won five medals in Poland, 2 gold, 2 silver and a bronze with world record holder, Genzebe Dibaba (women 3000m) and Mohammed Aman (men 800m) standing in the middle step of the podium to finish third in the overall standings as Kenya propped up the top ten.

Speaking in his first scheduled monthly media briefings Wednesday, AK boss, Isaiah Kiplagat, stated Kenya has been performing poorly since most of her elite athletes decline to compete at the World Indoors for fear of picking injuries.

The event sees athletes compete in a closed door track and field compared to the main World Championships held in an open a bigger stadium.

“We have not been taking World Indoor seriously, we have been selecting athletes who wish to participate and we have not taken it as part of the world athletics series where we participate. We are not really World Indoor participants but we want to take the competition with a lot of concern.

“We have been performing poorly since we don’t have facilities required but as we seek to be at par with Ethiopia, we will go ahead and organise our athletes train in foreign countries that have the equipment,” the AK chief declared at a media briefing at Riadha House.

He added: “I wish to congratulate, in a special way, our gold medallist, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku, and silver medallist Hellen Onsando Obiri, who won her second medal after the gold she took at the previous championships in 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey, also in the 3,000 metres.”

Kenya paled compared to the 2012 running in Istanbul where four medals were won with women’s 800m Olympics champion Pamela Jelimo, setting a world leading 1:58.83 to win Gold while Obiri clinched the 3000m.

Commonwealth Games men’s 5000m champion Augustine Choge settled for silver in 3000m with 2008 Olympics 5000m bronze winner, Edwin Soi weighing in with his bronze.

At the same time, the federation president announced AK would interview four consultancy companies on March 28 with the winning candidate mandated to give an overview report on what should be done to improve the standards of the most successful sport in the country.

“We are going to make a lot of changes beginning this year. We want to get a consultancy who will give us directions on whether our events have been successful or failed.

“We want to change the set up of our competition programme so that we are in line with IAAF. We also want to combine both competition with entertainment and culture so that people can came to the stadium and watch their own athletes compete as it happens all over the world.

“We want to change the face of Athletics to make it better as soon as possible,” he added.

Kiplagat urged the African Cross country team to step up their game for Sunday’s event that will be held in Kampala, Uganda as they bid to defend their title.

“The team has been training hard in Ngo’ng and we expect challenge from all the 25 countries that have confirmed participation.

“But we are confident in retaining gold medals won by Clement Langat and Joyce Chepkirui in the senior along with the junior women’s won by Faith Chepng’etich and I’m happy she has graduated to the senior through her victory at the national cross country championships held at Uhuru Gardens last month.”

The team of 24 athletes and seven officials will depart the country Friday for the biennial continental event that has attracted 25 countries thus far at the Kololo Grounds in Kampala.

On preparation for the inaugural IAAF World Relay Championships in Bahamas on May 24 and 25, Kiplagat said they are working to ensure all elite athletes attend the trials and electronic timing is used in the three meets set aside to select the squad.

The preliminaries will be held on March 22, with the second round set for April 5 before the finals that will run on April 26 at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 12- AFC Leopards 50th birthday turned sour when they were diluted by a solitary goal at struggling Muhoroni Youth in a mid week Kenyan Premier League match at Muhoroni Sports Complex.

Coach James Nandwa, who opted to rest Harambee Stars forward Allan Wanga and winger Wafula, could not pick his side up from clashing out of the CAF Confederations Cup to South Africa’s SuperSport United after going down 4-2 on goal aggregate after a 2-2 stalemate on Sunday.

Muhoroni welcomed their new tactician Francis Baraza in a style with Abbas Akinyemi, kissing the net in 19th.

The host could have opened the scores three minutes after kick-off through Ibrahim Ateng’s corner but keeper Martin Musalia cleared the danger.

Seven minutes later Akinyemi saw his shot go wide for a goal kick with Ezekiel Otuoma picking the ball but ended up wasting the chance with his off target shot.

Muhoroni’s pressure on Leopards defence paid through in the 19th when Akinyemi was awarded a freeckick at the edge of the box to open the deadlock.

The match was stopped for eight minutes after Ingwe players protested the goal but their plea landed on referees deaf ears.

Muhoroni concede a corner in 31st that was taken by Paul Were but his cross was cleared by defender Daniel Kiptoo.

With nine minutes to the breather, Were and Edwin Wafula were booked for infringement as Muhorono enjoyed 1-0 to half-time.

On resumption, Nandwa strengthened his attacking by introducing Charles Okwemba for Ezekiel Seda but he did not manage to break through Muhoroni defence who seemed to seat back, as Kiptoo was booked for wasting time in 61st.

Baraza substituted goal scorer Akinyemi for Tetieh Olesu, as Leopards enjoyed possession but could not restore parity as Muhoroni played hard to get, defending for the important three points.

Ingwe nearly levlled in 75th through Mike Khamati but his strike went wide.

Nandwa brought in Oscar Kadenge for Ugandan Musa Mudde in the midfield but the son of football legend Joe Kadenge could not lift his side as Muhoroni under their new coach who was appointed on Tuesday won their first match of the season following three straight loses.

The result further piles on the pressure on the Harambee Stars assistant coach with Leopards, presumed title candidates, yet to win a game this season despite heavy spending on the transfer market with defender Joseph Shikokoti, who was acquired from Tusker for Sh700,000 in the most expensive deal starting on the bench.

The GOtv Shield winners are now occupying the other relegation spot on two points as climbed one up to 14th.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 13 – National 7s head coach Paul Treu, is banking experience gained from previous five legs to excel in the sixth and seventh rounds of HSBC Sevens World Series in Japan and Hong Kong.

The South African has made only one change to his travelling party of 12, giving Lunch Bar Quins sweeper Maxwell Theuri, his first cap because veteran Humphrey Kayange, will not be available due to school commitments.

The team was also boosted by the return of captain Andrew Amonde, who missed USA and New Zealand rounds due to a shoulder injury picked while the team was in George, South Africa, for a 10-day camp training.

“We are trying to build on consistency in terms of giving new players opportunity and exposure to international level.

“We are progressing well since from the first tour in Dubai up to Wellington we made eight changes and now we have only made one, I’m happy our skipper Amonde is back in the mix so hopefully the continuity will translate to our results as well.

“The team can be better if the individual is better and this is something that we will work on as we are going forward each player must become better and take ownership of this team.

“We need to become player driven environment where they are taking charge and setting the standards,” the former Blitzbokke tactician who is yet to lead his charged to the Main Cup semis this season stated on Thursday while unveiling the squad.

He urged his boys to be prepared for a tough outing since they will meet experienced sides in their Group where Kenya is in Pool B alongside his former employer South Africa who they have failed to beat in Port Elizabeth and Las Vegas, Argentina and host Japan.

“We have set our bar high since we will be accountable on our performance and we are looking forward to the next two tournaments and we will like to see progression its not going to be easy since even when we qualify to the quarters we will meet top teams but we are but for the challenge.

“Our defence has grown since we have improved on our tackles and we were ranked the second best in Wellington since we scored the most tries so we must keep on building in the platform and hopefully the wins will come.

“If one compares this team to last season then you are wrong since we have been meeting big teams early in the quarters it’s going to be very tough, last year Kenya played top fives teams 26 percent but we have already played them 42 percent in the last five tournaments,” he claim.

Kenya Commercial utility player Amonde said many teams have stepped up their game and there is no team to underrate.

“The team played well its unfortunate they did have their best but we can’t crucify them and we are prepared well for the sixth and seventh rounds we hope for the best.

“It’s a challenging group since playing South Africa after playing them twice, Argentina are ranked above us on the standings and Japan will be having the home support but we are going to put our heads high and we expect the best,” the skipper said.

The new kid on the bock, Theuri, said he intends to use the opportunity to fight for his position and be a regular in the national team.

“I feel like my effort has been recognized though it has not been easy to all the way to the top. I have to embrace this opportunity and become professional since the big boys are giving me support.

“I started from scratch with Quins since rugby was not my sport I had to learnt it and I’m so humbled to make it to the national team, the only challenge is to maintain to the team,” the back who used to play soccer expressed.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee, challenged the boys to step up their game and go back to the winning ways since it’s long overdue.

“We still have to develop our high performance structures and it will not come overnight since its needs investment and we urge the Government to help us achieve this.

“That’s why most of the time we are heading to South Africa to get that experience. I was honoured to have a chat with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is our patron and said rugby fans are getting anxious that we are not winning and he send me to tell you Kenyans want a trophy.

“Its high time coaches and players take responsibility and make a kill since time has come,” the KRU chief declared.

Kenya Air Ways CEO Titus Naikuni said, “I will like to ensure everybody that we are fully behind and satisfied with the management of KRU. The players should not close themselves on playing in our local circuit; you should go out there and play against established teams to get the exposure

“We as Kenya Airways we will be watching on you so don’t individualize your mistakes just give your best and make us proud.”

SmartiNAIROBI, Kenya, March 14 – Reigning champions Gor Mahia will be looking to bounce back by winning their third successive Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match when they invite table-toppers, Western Stima, at Nairobi’s City Stadium on Sunday in the highlight fixture of eight matches on the cards this weekend.

K’Ogalo are smarting from a 5-0 humiliation by Espérance Sportive de Tunis who eliminated them in the first round of CAF Champions League on 8-2 aggregate last Monday as they embark on defending the title they clinched last season for the first time in 18 years.

Sitting seventh on the log, Gor have two games in hand to ascend to the summit after their Thursday clash against former champions Tusker FC was rescheduled to next Wednesday.

Coach Bobby Williamson, says he expects a difficult encounter since most of his charges were engaged in the continental assignment.

“The season has just started we have played two games and we have won both, hopefully we will gain confidence after the Tunisia outing and perform better.

“We have quite a number of players that we will utilize at some stage and everybody will get an opportunity to play including youngsters Joseph Karuiki and Daniel Onyango who have potential since our main aim is to defend the title then the rest will follow up,” the Scotsman stated.

The champions will be without first choice keeper and skipper Jerim Onyango, who was ruled out for two weeks after picking a shoulder injury in their second match against Mathare United at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Reserve stopper David Juma who conceded five goals in their CAF Champions League first round second leg against two-time champions Esperance is expected to do duty on Sunday against his former employer.

The last time the two sides met was in July last year where K’Ogalo emerged victorious with a 2-0 win but it will be difficult to tell if the latter will repeat the same since Western Stima has won three and lost one this season against the brewers.

Their wounded arch rivals AFC Leopards will also be in action on Sunday with a tricky away fixture to 2009 champions Sofapaka at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County.

Leopards who were biggest spenders during the transfer window after splashing Sh1.6m (USD 18,501.4) in signing five seasoned players are yet to ignite, drawing twice and losing their third match against Muhoroni Youth midweek.

High profile signings, towering defender Joseph Shikokoti who was the most expensive at Sh700,000 (USD 8,094.4) from Tusker, Harambee Stars right back James Situma, keeper Wycliffe Kasaya, Ugandan Musa Mudde and last season’s top score Jacob Keli are yet to inspire the club to a KPL win thus far.

Ingwe completed the double over Batoto Ba Mungu last season but their miserable run casts a shadow on their ability to sustain their dominance over the former champions.

In Saturday fixtures, Sony Sugar invite high flying newboys KRA at Awendo’s Green Stadium while Bandari host Thika United at Mbaraki Sports Ground.

Ulinzi Stars welcome Mathare United at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru to wrap the day’s programme before KCB square it out with Tusker as Nairobi City Stars visit Muhoroni Youth in other Sunday games.

Chemelil Sugar takes on bottomed placed Top Fry Nakuru at Chemelil Sports Complex.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 14 – Team Kenya departed for Uganda on Friday on a mission to complete a gold medal sweep when they line up for the Africa Cross Country Championships at the Kololo Grounds in Kampala on Sunday.

Francis Afudi, the team manager told Capital Sport at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport that his charges were out to replicate their performance at the 2011 edition in South Africa where the country won eight out of eight gold medals.

The team won six out of eight with Ethiopia taking the junior men individual honours and junior women team honours in their first showing at the continental showpiece having skipped the 2011 running.

“Our target is to sweep all medals because we are familiar with the climate though we expect competition from our perennial rivals Ethiopia, South Africa and hosts Uganda since most Kenyans have migrated to the neighboring country,” the team manager added.

Reigning World Cross junior women titleholder, Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon, will make her debut for her country as a senior in cross country with the hopes of an entire nation once again vested in her young shoulders.

World Cross champion, Emily Chebet and Jemimah Sumgong, the 2012 Boston Marathon runner-up, dropped out from the squad earlier this week with Bydgoszcz 2010 World Cross runner, Alice Aprot and Edith Chelimo taking their slots in the Kampala squad. Peris Chepchirchir and Punta Umbria World Cross fifth finisher in the junior race, Janet Kisa, completing the women 8km long race squad.

In the absence of two-time National Champion, Bedan Karoki in the men 12km race, World Cross junior silver medallist, Leonard Barsoton, who graduated this year, has the task of cementing his reputation by scaling the continental heights.

Karoki opted out of Kampala as he prepares for his London Marathon debut in April and won the Worlds’ Best 10K race in Puerto Rico on February 23 in 28:35.

Moses Mukono, who bagged the domestic series jackpot before winning the national crown is the stud in the men junior 8km race with equally storming World Cross junior silver medallist, Agnes Chebet, who inherited the slot vacated by Chepng’etich, remains unbeaten this year in the junior women 6km race.

At the last edition, Kenya collected nine individual medals (three gold, silver and bronze) with Chepg’etich winning the junior race. Kenya also bagged three team gold medals in the senior men and women races as well as junior men.

The team is expected to jet back on Monday.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 15- The SWD Eagles scored a convincing victory in their second Vodacom Cup match when they smashed the Tusker Simba XV 51-7 (25-0 halftime) on a windy City Park-stadium in Athlone, Cape Town.

With the the win the Eagles scored their first victory of the season, but for the Tusker Simba XV, who beat the EP-Kings by 17-10 in the first round, it is back to the drawing board after an unconvincing display against the Eagles.

The men from George came out running on Saturday and managed to score nine tries in the process. The Kenyan-side had to do most of the defending throughout the game but showed some promise on the attack when they had the ball in hand.

Speedsters Hentzwill Pedro, Duwayne Smart and Daniel Robberts and looseforwards Shaun Raubenheimer and Janneman Stander all scored in the first half for the visiting team after some excellent interplay between the SWD forwards and backline players.

The five tries in the first half secured the bonus point for the Eagles and they kept the big Kenyan-forwards out of the game by starving them of possession.

Even against 14 men the Tusker Simba XV could not score any points.

The Eagles started off the second 40 minutes where they stopped in the first.

They kept the Kenyans under pressure by running the ball at them. The Kenyans saw more of the ball in the second half but unforced errors kept the team from scoring any points.

Even with the wind in their face the Eagles kept running the ball at the Kenyans and managed to score a further four more tries in the second half to stretch their lead to 51-0.

The Tusker Simba XV grabbed a converted consolation try in the dying seconds of the game through lock Wilson Kopondo.

SCORERS:

Tusker Simba XV: Try: Wilson Kopondo. Conversion: Kenny Andula.

SWD Eagles: Tries: Daniel Roberts (2), Hentzwill Pedro (2), Shaun Raubenheimer, Duwayne Smart, Janneman Stander, Christo du Plessis, Martin du Toit. Conversions: Karlo Aspeling (3).

- By SuperSport.com

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 16- Pamela Lisoreng, 25, who competed for Kenya at the 2006 World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, tragically passed on Saturday after training in Eldoret, her management, International Athletics Consultancy (IAC) has confirmed.

“With a strong sense of shock and disbelief I am reaching out to all our friends and associates and athletics fraternity at large with sad news of tragic passing of Pamela Lisoreng of Kenya.

“Pamela finished earlier today (Saturday) her run and on her way back home she suddenly collapsed and was pronounced dead by the time she reached the hospital in Eldoret. No further information is available at this stage,” Zane Branson, IAC Director, said in a statment.

“Pamela’s husband, Boniface Kirui, young son, family, friends and numerous athletes have lost wonderful spouse, mother, loved one and friend.

“Pamela’s gentle nature and warm smile are what is to live with us in these days of mourning and forever,” he added.

Lisoreng finished eighth in the Fukuoka World Cross running as a junior runner helping her nation to scoop the team title in the women’s 6km race although she did not score.

Athletics Kenya (AK) through its president, Isaiah Kiplagat, expressed shock over the tragic demise of the Eldoret-based athlete.

“AK is shocked by the tragic death of this promising female athlete who represented our country with pride during the 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, where she was part of the victorious junior women 6km team with the likes of Pauline Korikwiang and Veronica Nyaruai.

“At this trying moment, we stand by her husband, Boniface Kirui and her young son as well as the athletics community in Eldoret who have lost a loving wife, mother, sister and beloved friend,” Kiplagat added.

“While we wait to establish the cause of her untimely death, let us not speculate on the causes to give her family the peace they need to deal with this devastating loss.

“AK will deliberate on what support we shall render the family and will communicate the same in due course,” the federation boss stated.

Lisoreng, a Kenya Police Service runner, distinguished herself as a solid distance athlete, marking her marathon debut last year with 2:34:13 for fourth at Hengshui in China.

She ran her career best 1:10:09 over the half marathon last year in Prague and was a regular at the Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Series besides finishing sixth at the 2012 Nationals over 5000m and winning the 2009 Tegla Loroupe Peace Race in Kapenguria.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 16 – Reigning champions Gor Mahia bounced back from their 5-0 CAF Champions League return leg first round humiliation at Esperance to beat visiting Western Stima 2-0 in their Kenyan Premier league (KPL) match played on Sunday at Nairobi’s City Stadium.

Ugandan forward Dan Sserunkuma opened the scores in the 63rd before substitute Kevin Omondi sealed victory in 85th to see K’Ogalo win their third league match on the trot.

Gor could have opened the scores three minutes in when they were awarded a free-kick that George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo headed wide.

Two minutes later Stima responded through Paul Odhiambo with his brilliant move to pass the ball to Wesley Kemboi who saw his shot rescued by keeper David Juma.

Shaban Kenga’s cross from the right wing found Geoffrey Kizito just at the edge of the box but the Ugandan wasted the chance with his strike that went wide.

As the match slowed down left back Godfrey Walusimbi hacked down Stima defender George Wesa, with the visitors squandering the free-kick.

In the 25th Kenga brought in a fine cross but there was no one in the box to tap home as the ball went out for a goal kick.

K’Ogalo continued to pile pressure on Stima, with Kevin Oluoch providing pass to Odhiambo who missed the ball as he fell down inside the box for keeper Ben Mandela to easily pick the pieces in the 33rd.

Three minutes later Kenga was fouled by Robert Kwaye for a Kizito free-kick that Mandela saved.

With two minutes of play left for the first half, Odhiambo missed two clear chances to see both sides locked 0-0 at half time.

K’Ogalo returned rejuvinated with Sserunkuma having a chance to open the deadlock in the 47th when he was had only Mandela to beat but the club’s top scorer directed his shot straight at the custodian before Patrick Oboya squandered an opportunity from a Walusimbi corner with a way wide strike.

Coach Bobby Williamson introduced Rama Salim for Odhiambo after the latter wasted a number of chances.

In the 59th Oboya unleashed a thunderous shot that forced Mandela to punch for a fruitless corner.

The introduction of Salim paid in the 63rd when Oboya passed the ball to the former Congo United player who in turn fed talisman Sserunkuma to net his third goal of the season.

Shafik Batambuze passed up an opportunity to level by unleashing a cracker that flew over the bar before his keeper once again came to the rescue to thwart Sserunkuma.

Kenga was substituted for Timona Wanyonyi while the visitors rested Kemboi for Francis Ocholla.

Stima tried to break through Gor’s solid defence but could not manage as K’Ogalo substituted Oboya for Kevin Omondi who’s presence was felt when he doubled in the 85th to see his side comfortable seal the 2-0 win.

The defending champions who have a game in hand are now placed fourth on the log two adrift leaders Chemelil Sugar.

In other fixtures that were played on Sunday, AFC Leopards failed to take advantage of 10-man Sofapaka at their home ground, Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, to settle for a goalless draw and remain winless this season.

Muhoroni Youth beat Nairobi City Stars 1-0 while Top Fry Nakuru woes continued when they lost 2-0 to Chemelil Sugar as Tusker beat KCB 2-1.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 16- The Kenyan national anthem rang eight times at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala to celebrate another clean medal sweep during Sunday’s Africa Athletics Championships as the inspired red, green and black took the opposition to the clinic in fine style in Uganda.

Two-time world cross-country junior champion and star attraction, Faith Chepng’etich and world cross-country silver medallist, Leonard Barsoton thrilled the sizeable crowds as they anchored Kenya to Africa’s top spots in the signature races.

Chepng’etich, who won the Africa cross-country junior title in South Africa, comfortably won the race in 25:33.02 ahead of Janet Kisa (25:41.30) and Alice Aprot (25:46.48) who was a late inclusion in the team following the withdrawal of World Cross titleholder, Emily Chebet.

Chelimo Faith (26:02.60) and Ethiopia’s Bekele Alemu Tadelech (26:14.03) closed the top five.

“I broke away from the surging Ethiopians. We have achieved ourv target of winning gold, silver and bronze here. I simply used my junior race winning style here. I will strive to make a team for Commonwealth Games,” Chepng’etich, who continued her winning streak despite the change of co-sign told.

Barsoton, a Japan based runner, won the men’s long race in 34:26.12 in a clean podium sweep for Kenya. Cornelius KIpruto (34:56.45) and Philemon Rono (35:01.88) settled for silver and bronze medals.

“I could take the heat after training in Japan’s hot grounds. I will leave for Japan end month and come back to battle for place in World Junior team to Oregon,” the Nandi born winner who also stepped up the ladder to senior running this season gushed.

Agnes Jebet Tirop and Moses Mukono clinched the junior races to complete the superlative performance as they set the stage for the gold rush with brilliant wins in the women and men 6km junior races.

Eritrea and Ethiopia denied Kenya clean sweeps in both events although the team titles were secured.

Jebet, the World Cross medallist, pulled a fast one against stiff Ethiopian challenge, winning the six-kilometre race as her country’s anthem became the first to be played at the ceremonial grounds.

The Form Two Student at Kosirai Secondary School in Uasin Gishu Country proved she was no push-over as she blew away Ethiopian challenge to win in 18:50.5 in an afternoon of high drama.

Ethiopia’s Heroye Banata Alemitu settled for silver in 19:05.1 as Nancy Nziza (19:16.71), World Junior 3,000m champion Roseline Chepng’etich (19:35.71) and World Youth 3,000m champion Lilian Kasait (19:50.74) came home to wrap the top five.

Jebet, who won World Junior 5000m bronze medal in Barcelona in 2012, explained she could not betray her surname which means ‘one born at broad day light’ in her dialect despite her dream of leading her compatriots to a clean sweep going up in smoke.

“I wanted Kenya to win the top-three positions here at day light. I tried to hold back but I feared the Ethiopians could catch up with me,” said Jebet.

Kenya managed to hold a firm grip on the junior women overall title even as Ethiopia and hosts Uganda settled for silver and bronze medals respectively.

Kasait, a primary school pupil in Pokot Central, wound up fifth and aided Kenya in overall title defence bid.

Africa junior 5000m champion Mukono showed no respective for his opponents as he strolled to victory in 22:36.80. Andrew Lorot (22:36.80) and Eritrea’s (22:50.19) bagged silver and bronze as John Kiprono Langat (22:58.70), Hillary Kipkemoi (23: 01.97) and Emmanuel Bett (23:11.12) followed.
Mukono, who failed to impress at the 2013 World Cross in Poland, led school mate at Nairobi’s Riruta Central Andrew Lorot to top-two spots here.

“I won this race so easily. I slowed the pace but when I realized the opposition were not so strong, I fired away. I now prepare for the IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships in Oregon. I will also try if I can manage the team to Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland,” the eloquent athlete told.
But Lorot, who competed in his maiden race in the national colours, said he feared Ugandans would ruin their party here.
The athlete from Lelan area in Pokot South said: “I have problem with starting. I always pick up a bit late that’s how I clawed back to second position.
Mukono, however, broke away from the four-kilometre mark leaving Lorot and Kiprono to do the chasing.
Kenya snatched back the overall junior men team title from Ethiopia, which sets the stage for a bruising battle at the 41th IAAF World Cross-Country Championships in China next year.
LEADING RESULTS

Junior men
1 Moses Mukono KEN 22:36.80
2 Andrew Lorot KEN 22:50.19
3 Berhane Afewerki ERI 22:56.45
4 Langat Kiprono KEN 22:58.70
5 Langat Kipkemoi KEN 23:01.97

Junior women
1 Agnes Jebet Tirop KEN 18:50.74
2 Alemitu Heroye ETH 19:04.73
3 Nancy Nzisa KEN 19:16.18
4 Rosefline Chepngetich KEN 19:39.71
5 Kasait rengeruk KEN 19:50.74

Senior women
1 Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon KEN 25:33.02
2 Janet Kisa KEN 25:41.30
3 Alice Nawowuna Aprot KEN 25:46.48
4 Edith Chelimo KEN 26:02.48
5 Alemu Bekele ETH 26:10.84

Senior men

1. Leonard Barsoton (KEN) 1994 34:26
2. Cornelius Kangogo (KEN) 1993 34:56
3. Philemon Rono (KEN) 1991 35:02
4. Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) 1987 35:15
5. Philip Langat (KEN) 1990 35:20

New York, March 17- Mo Farah insists that his preparations for next month’s London marathon remain on track despite reports that he was unconscious for three minutes after collapsing at the end of the New York City half-marathon.

Farah was given emergency medical treatment at the finish before being taken away in a wheelchair.

Earlier he tripped up at the six-mile mark, losing time on the Kenyan winner, Geoffrey Mutai, before finishing second. He blamed the effort of trying to catch up with Mutai and the sub-zero conditions in New York for his collapse. “I’m all right,” he said. “It’s fine. It’s not a big deal.”

Farah was in about third place in a group of eight athletes when he was accidentally tripped. He forward rolled, senses understandably groggy, before slowly recovering his stride. But Mutai and his compatriot Stephen Sambu were already 25 metres clear, and quickly kicked on.

“I would have done exactly the same thing if I was him in the race,” Farah admitted.

Mutai, who will face Farah at April’s London Marathon on April 13, took the honours in 1:00:50 with the gold medallist from London and Moscow who Tweeted saying ‘I feel good.’ coming home in 1:01:07.

Daegu Worlds silver medallist, Sally Kipyego, a Kenyan living in Oregon, won the women’s race with a time of 1:08.30.

Farah collapsed and was taken away in a wheelchair after finishing second in Sunday’s race.

A second runner also crumbled to the pavement and suffered a heart attack moments after he crossed the finish line around 9:40 a.m., officials said.

The 43-year-old Midtown east man was rushed to New York Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital in critical but stable condition, cops and race officials said.

The Somali-born Farah, 30, told onlookers afterwards that his collapse was “not a big deal.” He did not require hospital care, according to reports.

“I feel good. I just tried so hard in the race,” Farah said.

The Olympic champion first stumbled awkwardly near the six-mile mark but continued on.

He finished the 13.1-mile race in 1:01.07 behind winner Mutai of Kenya, who ended at 1:00.50.

Mutai and Farah, who won two Olympic gold medals in 2012, are set to challenge each other again in the London Marathon next month.

Stephen Sambu from Kenya came in third.

As for the women’s race, Sally Kipyego, a Kenyan who lives in Oregon, won in 1:08.30, a record for the race.

She was followed by Buzunesh Deba, an Ethiopian who lives in the Big Apple.

- By New York Times

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 17 – The triumphant 2014 Africa Cross Country Championships team arrived from their stomping ground in Kampala Monday with its stars promising more of the same at other international engagements this season.

Kenya swept all eight gold medals in another commanding performance that left 25 other nations that took part with no choice than to bow to the kings.

Upon arrival, the squad of 24 runners and seven officials were treated to a sumptuous luncheon in their honour as they reveled in their crowning achievement at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Sunday afternoon.

In a repeat of their achievement at the 2010 World Cross and 2011 Africa Cross, the team won four individual and four team gold medals. Only the junior men bronze and junior women silver individual medals eluded their grasp as they embarked on total domination.

Having ascended to four world titles and two continental crowns as a junior, all eyes were on two-time World Cross junior titleholder, Faith Chepng’etich and she did not disappoint, delivering the top medal on her first foray as a senior in cross country.

“The race had a lot of challenges since we had to go through hills and valleys but our main aim was to lock out Ethiopians and ensure their first athlete comes in seventh. It was so nice seeing only Kenyans competing for the top three positions, it wasn’t easy but we tried our strategy and it worked.

“I’m happy because I graduated well from junior to senior since it’s not easy to go through all the stages from Youth to senior and win,” the 20-years-old who captained the senior women team told Capital Sport having won her race in 25:33.02 ahead of teammates Janet Kisa (25:41.30), Alice Aprot (25:46.48) and Edith Chelimo (26:02.48) who sealed the perfect ten.

The former Winners’ High School student has set her sights at medalling at the Scotland Commonwealth Games this summer having failed to scale the podium at the London 2012 Olympics and Moscow 2013 World Championships.

“I will give it my best and make sure I and Hellen Obiri, who won bronze at 2013 Moscow World Championships bring medals to our country if we will make it to the squad.”

The corresponding long race champion, Leonard Barsoton, who also graduated to senior running after winning World Cross junior silver in Poland last year, has trained his guns on the 10000m during the Commonwealth Games/Africa Athletics Championships Trials as he soaked adulation for his performance.

“We approached the race with a plan where we started by blocking our opponents and ensured all our colleagues leads the race. I decided to open the gap since I thought someone could come from no where and scoop me the victory and I thank God since there was no stiff competition and I’m so happy that all the top-five spot were claimed by Kenyans,” the Japan based athlete enthused.

Barsoton (34:26) breast the tape unchallenged with Cornelius Kangogo (34:56), Philemon Rono (35:02), Solomon Kirwa (35:15) and Philip Langat (35:20) finishing in that order to complete yet another perfect 10.

In yet another notable first for the Kampala contingent, Moses Mukono and Agnes Jebet won the men and women junior titles ensuring all national champions returned home with the top medal. Previously, winning the Kenyan championship has always been a yoke many have struggled to remove from their necks at subsequent international competitions.

“I feel happy for making my country proud and as we were in Uganda I expected stiff competition from Ethiopia, Uganda and Eritrea but after two kilometers I realized there was no competitor and I easily broke away and won.

“This was my last cross country for junior and I’m very happy because this will give me motivation and encouragement to prepare for the senior and I hope to do well,” the African junior 5000m champion Mukono, who is on his last lap as a junior this season, gushed.

Eritrea’s Berhane Afewerki (22:56.45) worked his way among the Kenyans to nick individual bronze in the only ‘blot’ of a splendid performance as Mukono (22:36.80) and Andrew Lorot (22:50.19) arrived home for gold and silver.

Namesakes Kiprono (22:58.70) and Kipkemoi (23:01.97) sealed the team honours by finishing fourth and fifth.

The Kampala gold rush was set off by Agnes Tirop, who succeeded Chepng’etich as national junior women 6km cross titleholder having been led by the senior titleholder to the altar in Bydgoszcz last year.

She is not afraid of mixing it with the seniors as she eyes a slot in the national team for the Commonwealth Games over 5000m, a distance she won World Junior bronze in Barcelona.

“I did not expect to win gold since the competition was no that easy but I’m happy for this victory. I’m now planning for Commonwealth Games where I hope to make it to the team and compete in 5000m,” the gold winner who clocked 18:50.74 for victory after shrugging off the spirited challenge of Ethiopian silver winner and favourite, Alemitu Heroye (19:04.73) said.

Compatriots Nancy Nzisa (19:16.18), Rosefline Chepngetich (19:39.71) and Kasait Rengeruk (19:50.74) trooped home in that order to occupy the next three places to secure the team title.

Head coach David Letting, applauded his charges tipping them to form the core of future Kenya teams to international events such as World Youth and Youth Olympics Games scheduled for Nanjing, China in August.

“We registered fantastic results and winning all eight gold medals in Kampala, this was a repeat in Poland where we clinched all the medals at the World Cross Country.

“This is a future team for Kenya and I’m urging all coaches and officials to retain and monitor them since they are capable of representing the country Olympics games in 2016. All are under 22 years.”

Athletic Kenya (AK) President Isaiah Kiplagat, urged coaches and agents not to expose young athletes to many races to avoid them burning out before they build careers.

“This was splendid performance since they went there prepared and came out victorious. We have beaten the world and Africa so the only problem is to maintain the spirit of winning.

“Our athletes who won in Kampala are very young and this is their first ladder so I can comfortable say we have a team to depend on in future,” he expressed.

“I’m pleading to the coaches please don’t destroy the athletes before they attain their potential to represent the country by taking them to many competitions since they have to be around for at least  some time to survive in this sport.

“I urge all young athletes not to rush into being registered by agents since they should space their competitions and programmes and avoid running now and then in different road races,” the AK chief added.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 18 – By all accounts, James Nandwa, is a dead man walking at the AFC Leopards’ head coach hot seat if reports of his imminent departure are to be believed. With time running out on his tenure, the midweek Kenyan Premier League clash against inform Sony Sugar could not have come at a worse time.

There has been no respite for the Harambee Stars assistant head coach with Ingwe winless in four league matches thus far, a catastrophe considering they were nominated title contenders ahead of the current campaign.

With Wednesday’s match set to be televised live on SuperSport, Nandwa could well suffer the added indignity of his last rites being laid bare to a Pan African audience.

That is unless Leopards fulfill their enormous potential against a team ran by a man who knows all too well about the pressure of managing one of Kenya’s big clubs when the going is tough.

Sony’s Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno was hounded out of Gor Mahia after leading the club to a second finish in the 2009 KPL and winning the domestic cup after K’Ogalo failed to win in eight and having re-invented himself at the cane cutters, he will definitely not hand Nandwa any gifts.

“This is our time to start winning and go all the way to clinching the league title. I’m sure we will do so since we have a formidable squad,” the beleaguered Nandwa maintained.

The man who led the club to the GOtv Shield and a storming run to finish behind Gor has called for patience as he tries to solve the disappearance of Ingwe from the KPL radar despite boasting of a squad capable of dominating the domestic top flight.

After settling for a barren draw on Sunday against Sofapaka, Leopards are languishing in the relegation zone with three points, seven behind Sony who are yet to concede after winning three and drawing one.

The Stars assistant coach was quoted in a local daily saying he could not explain why his laden side were misfiring, hardly the kind of admission that inspires confidence he is the man to find a solution, just ask EPL giants, Manchester United, faithful about their under fire boss David Moyes seven months into his tenure!

It is unlikely the Ingwe administration led by chairman Allan Kasavuli will accord Nandwa a similar period with wags suggesting they are only waiting to secure a replacement before giving him the boot. He has also failed to win the vocal Ingwe faithful to his side and soon, an open revolt is likely if they lose tomorrow.

The murmurs increased on Sunday when they could not skin ten-man Sofapaka in Machakos despite enjoying most of the territorial play and chances.

Nandwa is likely to retain the attack minded starting line-up that includes Allan Wanga, Mike Khamati, Jacob Keli and Paul Were with captain Martin Imbalambala, right back James Situma, Joseph Shikokoti and Edwin Wafula manning the defence.

With Leopards limping, Wednesday will be a perfect opportunity for Zico to exact revenge against Leopards whom they failed they beat over both legs last season.

While the Den is in turmoil, their arch rivals Gor Mahia have picked up from where they left last season having won three out of three KPL matches so far but face a potential banana skin in plucky Thika United in the last ‘Milk Derby’ before the league champions severe ties with Brookside Dairies end month.

For the second league tie in succession, K’Ogalo will miss the services of their skipper and custodian Jerim Onyango, but were handed a boost when he resumed training on Monday after a shoulder injury picked during their match against Mathare United at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County three weeks ago.

However Onyango who missed the CAF Champions League first round return leg clash against Esperance where they lost 5-0 and Sunday’s 2-0 win against Western Stima told Capital Sport he will be available this weekend when they travel to Nakuru Top Fry.

“I just resumed training yesterday (Monday) so I need some time to fully recover and that’s why I will not be available for tomorrow’s match pitting Thika. After undergoing medication on my shoulder I’m sure I will be between the post come Saturday.

“The team is well prepared for Thika though I know it will be difficult but our current form will give them morale to keep a clean sheet,” Onyango who hailed his reserve keeper David Juma, for doing duty in the past two matches added.

Coach Bobby Williamson, will look to continue with the good run when they square it out with the Juja based side, having the advantage of playing ‘away’ in Nairobi.

The Scotsman is expected to start inspirational Dan Sserunkuma who has netted in all three matches, Shaban Kenga and youngest Timona Wanyonyi on the flanks with Stars lynchpin Anthony Akumu and Ugandan Geoffrey Kizito manning the midfield.

The back four led by stand-in captain David ‘Calabar’ Owino, left back Godfrey Walusimbi, right back Musa Mohamed and Haron Shakava will hope to keep their solid back line intact.

Thika on the other hand are coming from a 2-1 win over Bandari and are keen on restoring their tag as Gor’s bogey team having lost both league ties last season. John Kamau’s sides famously denied Gor the title on the last day of the 2012 campaign.

Gate charges for VIP will retail for Sh500 (USD5.8) while terraces will sell at Sh200 (USD 2.3).

Leopards and Gor are playing catch-up in the KPL having taken part in the CAF Confederation and Champions League competitions where they exited at the first round to SuperSport and Esperance.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 19- The late Pamela Lisoreng will be interred in her home village of Kaptabuk in West Pokot on Thursday, the family has announced.

Lisoreng, a member of the 2006 World Cross team, collapsed and was pronounced dead upon arrival in hospital on Saturday after completing her morning run in Eldoret.

“The family arrived in Eldoret earlier yesterday (Tuesday) to collect the body and arrangements were made to transport it to West Pokot today (Wednesday) for burial.

“Burial and service are planned for Thursday, in West Pokot, and some athletes are to attend and pay their respects,” her management, International Athletics Consultancy (IAC) informed Capital Sport.

The family of the deceased, IAC added, requested that no autopsy should be performed to establish the cause of death.

Lisoreng, 25, had history with asthma and had battled the ailment for a number of years.

“Support from athletes was and is wonderful and we are all very thankful. Our client, Wilson Chebet, was and is very involved, offering support and providing support where and when needed and we are more than proud to be associated with individuals we have as clients,” IAC added.

Chebet blasted to 2:06:12 at the 2011 Amsterdam Marathon for second in what was the then fastest debut over the distance.

Lisoreng, a Kenya Police Service runner, distinguished herself as a solid distance athlete, marking her marathon debut last year with 2:34:13 for fourth at Hengshui in China.

She ran her career best 1:10:09 over the half marathon last year in Prague and was a regular at the Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Series besides finishing sixth at the 2012 Nationals over 5000m and winning the 2009 Tegla Loroupe Peace Race in Kapenguria.

She is survived by husband and fellow runner, Boniface Kirui and a young son. Kirui won the 2008 Valencia Half Marathon before losing the title the following year to two-time New York Marathon champion, Geoffrey Mutai.

Lisoreng finished eighth at the Fukuoka World Cross as part of the Kenyan team that won the junior 6km women’s title before she anchored her team to win the 2011 Chiba Ekiden title in Japan in a record 2:04:40 for a mixed men and women race.

Competing in stage 6 of the event where a team covers the total marathon distance of 26.1 miles (42.195km), Hitomi Niiya of Japan, the 2005 World Youth Championships 3000m bronze medallist, steadily closed Lisoreng while Sayo Nomura of the JPN Collegiate team pulled away from Russia’s Natalia Popkova.

She completed the last 7.195km in 22:52 for second in a team that also featured Thomas Longosiwa, Patrick Mutunga Mwikya and Evans Mokua that was enough to win Kenya the title on her last outing in Kenyan colours.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 19- Paul Treu has no choice than to make it big in Japan to restore confidence he is the man to lead Kenya to the 2016 Olympics in Rio when the Tokyo 7s scrum-off on Saturday.

The former South Africa coach has failed thus far to lead the team to the heights expected of them and prior to their departure on Monday, his boss and Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chief, Mwangi Muthee, stated that even the Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta, was looking forward to good results.

Although the highly paid tactician and his technical team are not under immediate pressure, Treu knows he is running out of tournaments to convince his doubters with the team set to travel straight the seventh leg in Hong Kong in a week’s time.

Another failure to make the Main Cup quarters in the echoes of the fourth and fifth legs of the series in Las Vegas and Wellington will only serve to crank up the heat, with the side slipping back almost unnoticed when they returned from their tour of USA and New Zealand in a bid to avoid scrutiny.

Having reached two Cup quarters in Dubai and Port Elizabeth, Treu has set the bar high for his troops at this weekend’s Tokyo 7s in Pool B alongside his former employers, South Africa, Argentina and hosts Japan before heading to Hong Kong on March 28 to 30.

“This is a challenge that we are ready for even though there will be no enough time for the players to recover since we will have only two training sessions on Thursday and Friday.

“I’m happy the boys are picking up my style of play though it will take time for them to master it but if the few that have learnt apply it during the match, I’m sure we will register victory since it worked in our last legs in USA and New Zealand,” the former Blitzbokke tactician stated.

However, it will not be rosy for Kenya to ease past the group stage since they open their campaign against South Africa whom they failed to overcome on two previous occasions in George and Dubai.

To make matters worse, while Treu, is embracing the contact kind of play that has seen them ranked 11th in terms of tries scored this season, their main opponents Blitzbokke have the third-highest tries scored-per-game and second-lowest conceded.

They will then take on a tricky Argentina outfit that are currently above them on the log with six points advantage in a game that will determine their passage to the Main Cup quarters.

It will take experience and technique for Treu’s charges to break through Argentina’s back row since they are the third team in the lowest conceded tries charts.

But the Kenyan side can take the advantage of the South Americans in attacking since they lose ball possession cheaply at the tackle.

Treu’s side will wrap their preliminary round obligations against hosts who possess home advantage even though this is their first outing this season being outside the core teams of the series.

They should expect a paced game based on dynamic handling and keeping the ball alive against more physical opposition.

Kenya is boosted by the return of captain Andrew Amonde, who missed the last two legs due to a shoulder injury.

The South African has only made one change to his squad, handing little known Lunch Bar Quins sweeper Maxwell Theuri his maiden call up, even though Treu said he will hardly give him a match.

He has no choice than to make it big in Japan if the murmurs against him are to remain just that.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 19- Talisman Dan Sserunkuma missed a penalty as Thika ended champions Gor Mahia’s perfect start to the season by forcing them to barren draw in a mid-week Kenyan Premier League (KPL) at Nairobi’s City Stadium on Wednesday.

K’Ogalo went into the game on the back of three straight wins but came unstuck against the plucky visitors for a share of the spoils in front of a partisan crowd.

Coach Bobby Williamson started with vice-captain Solomon Nasio in place of Kevin Oluoch who suffered a knock against Stima while Thika coach, John Kamau made three changes introducing Michael Luvutsi, Jackson Machari and Moses Arita who paved way for Vincent Nyaberi, Joseph Kuria and John Nairuka.

K’Ogalo started the match attacking with Kevin Omondi and Patrick Oboya exchanging neat passes as the latter provided a pass to Godfrey Walusimbi who crossed in from the left flank but unfortunately no one was in the Thika box to tap home as defender Kuria cleared the danger.

The defending champions kept the hosts back four on alert with Walusimbi delivering another cross with his left foot that forced Simon Mbugua to clear the ball with only 10 minutes of play.

Coach Kamau’s adjustments seemed to have worked with his charges coming close in the 16th when Nauiruka had a good move from the right wing to cross in but Gor second choice keeper David Juma, denied him.

Two minutes later Nyaberi gifted K’Ogalo first corner after clearing Anthony Akumu’s strike but Walusimbi wasted the chance.

Gor continued to pile pressure in search of the opener with Thika conceding a fourth corner that saw their defenders clear Walusimbi’s kick in 27th as goal poacher Sserunkuma was booked for diving in the box.

David Kin’gatua had a chance to break the deadlock in the 32nd after Nairuka delivered a low corner but the Harambee Stars forward blazed wide.

K’Ogalo’s hunger for goals continued with Oboya finding Shaban Kenga inside the box but the on-loan Bandari winger blasted wide.

With four minutes to the breather, Thika settled in the game with a composed defence but the champions burst to life with Ugandan Hamza Muwonge denying countryman Sserunkuma his fourth goal this season after the Cranes forward received a fine pass from Oboya.

Muwonge was at it again when he punched Omondi’s cross from the right flank to see both sides head into the break tied goalless.

Kamau brought in Moses Arita for King’atua in the last half but before he settled, Vincent Omumbo handled the ball inside the box for K’Ogalo to win the penalty but Sserunkuma failed to convert as Muwonge stopped his spot-kick in the 49th to keep the scores level.

The Brookside sponsored side responded swiftly with new boy Michael Olunga coming in close with a fine shot outside the box but hit the crossbar.

In the 58th Omondi received a neat pass from Sserunkuma but his effort were cleared by Thika skipper Dennis Odhiambo cleared the danger for a fruitless corner.

Substitute Timona Wanyonyi floated in a corner to stand-in captain David Owino who headed wide.

In the 74th Wycliffe Opondo found Luvutsi with a good pass but the latter shoots wide from outside the box.

Oboya and Serunkuma’s efforts in the dying minutes could not salvage Williamson to continue with the clean sheet as both sides shared one point.

Gor who have a game at hand against Tusker are third on the log and faces bottom placed Top Fry Nakuru over the weekend while Thika jumps one place up to sixth with eight.