Federation has given Adel Amrouche until Friday to show why his contract as Harambee Stars head coach should not be terminated/XINHUA

At the same, the federation has given Adel Amrouche until Friday to show why his contract as Harambee Stars head coach should not be terminated; accusing the Belgian of disgracing the nation after CAF slapped him with a one year ban for allegedly spitting on a match official against Comoros in May.

Amrouche was sacked with the entire technical bench but it turns out his five-year contract which commenced in February 2013 has yet to be terminated.

In a statement released by FKF, a seven member committee chaired by Professor Moni Wekesa has been appointed to investigate the cause of defeat that saw Kenya eliminated in the continental show piece, among them possible match fixing, the conduct of the coach and that of the technical director.

“The outcome of the Lesotho fixture in both legs was not ordinary and the scheming around the two matches left a lot to be desired. The general conduct of head coach Amrouche who was serving a CAF suspension left his official assistants divided and undermined by the singular action of designating an individual unknown to the federation to be the acting head coach for the match,” part of the statement sent on Thursday read.

It continued to say “The fielding and tactical approach to the match did not show the right intentions and was clear the technical bench either underestimated the opponent without due understanding of the gravity of the match or deliberately undermined the expectation s of the Kenyans.”

“Arising from the observation above, we have set up an inquiry on the match with specific terms to probe possible match fixing or sabotage. In doing this, the seven member team will investigate the conduct of the technical bench, communication trends involving members of the team meeting or interactions with individuals within and out of the Kenyan football circles,” the statement signed by FKF chief executive Michael Esakwa declared.

Other members appointed in the committee are former Gor Mahia coach James Siang’a, Bob Oyugi, John Ngururi, former international Dr JJ Masiga, FIFA referees instructor Gladys Waweru and Fred Ashimosi who have three weeks to submit the report.

The resolutions were released after a National Executive Meeting held in Nairobi on Thursday, a day that saw Harambee Stars drop nine places in the FIFA rankings (from 95 to 104) with Lesotho rising 26 places up to sit just a place below Stars.

FKF boss Sam Nyamweya had on August 3 fired the entire technical bench and disbanded the national team immediately they were bundled out of the continental showpiece pre-qualifiers.

He went ahead to appoint Bobby Williamson as Harambee Stars coach.

Sum crosses the finish line during the women’s 800m final at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games/XINHUA-File

However, there was disappointments in the men’s 1,500m where two-time world winner Asbel Kiprop was beaten to silver in 3:42.58 by Djibouti’s Souleimaan Hassa as Ronald Kipkemboi settled for bronze in a race that saw Club Games champion James Magut fade to fifth.

The women’s 3000m steeple chase was even worse after failing to reciprocate the Glasgow performance where they clinched a podium sweep, when Commonwealth winner Purity Kirui finished sixth ahead of compatriot Joan Chepkirui in a race that Worlds Milcah Chemos withdrew for Ethiopian Hiwot Ayalew to enjoy the victory in a new record of 9:29.54.

The highlight of the night was in the women’s 800m where unstoppable Sum picked her third major title since Moscow Worlds after outsprinting Jepkosgei (1:59.74) in 1:59.45 before Agatha completed the rout in 1:59.84.

Yego who improved his Glasgow throw by more than a metre, retained his continental crown after setting a distance of 84.72m ahead of Egypt’s Abdelrahman Elsayed who won silver while South African Oosthuizen Robert bagged bronze.

Ndiku dominated in the middle distance once again beating Worlds bronze medallist Isaiah Kiplagat to take the honour in 13:34.27 ahead of Kiplagat’s 13:35.73 with Eritrean Abrar Osman spoiling the party to settle for bronze as Joseph Kitur came in fourth.
In sprints, USA based Calvin Nkanata gave Kenya her first medal in the 200m after scooping bronze in 20.53 behind Ivorian Wilfred Koffi (20.25) and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala (20.51).

Francisca Koki set a Kenyan record of 55.32 in the women’s hurdles in a race that was won by South African Wenda Theron in 55.32 with Amaka Ogoegbunam giving Nigeria silver in 55.46.

The quartet of Jacinta Shikanda, Koki, Jepkosgei and Maureen Jelagat bagged silver in the women’s 4x100m relays (3:32.26) while their male counterparts of Mark Mutai, Solomon Buoga, Nicholas Bett and Boniface Mucheru managed a bronze in 3:07.35.

Collated results.
Men 200m
1. Wilfred KOFFI CIV 20.25 RN
2. Isaac MAKWALA BOT 20.51
3. Carvin NKANATA KEN 20.53
4. Ncinciihli TITI RSA 20.63
5. Jammeh ADAMA GAM 20.80
Women 400m Hurdles
1. THERON NEL Wenda RSA 55.32 2
2. OGOEGBUNAM Amaka NGR 55.46
3. KOKI Francisca KEN 55.84 RN
4. LAMBARKI Hayat MAR 55.93
5. EBERSOHN Anneri RSA 56.71
Women 800m
1. Eunice SUM KEN 1:59.45
2. Janeth JEPKOSGEI KEN 1:59.74
3. Agatha JERUTO KEN 1:59.84
4. Tigst ASSEFA ETH 2:00.43
5. Noelie YARIGO BEN 2:01.64
Men 1,500m
1. Souleimaan Hassa AYANLEH DJI 3:42.49
2. Asbel KIPROP KEN 3:42.58
3. Ronald KIPKEMBOI KEN 3:42.59
4. M GEBREMEDHIN WOLDEGIORG ETH 3:42.65
5. James MAGUT KEN 3:43.82
Men 5,000
1. Caleb MWANGANGI KEN 13:34.27
2. Kiplangat Isaiah KOECH KEN 13:35.73
3. Abrar OSMAN ERI 13:36.42
4. Joseph KITUR KEN 13:39.12
5. Yenew ALAMIREW ETH 13:45.86
Women 20km Walk
1. Grace WANJIRU KEN 1:37:04
2. Emily NGII KEN 1:38:12
3. Askale TIKSA ETH 1:40:05 RN
4. Chahinez NASRI TUN 1:42:55
5. Yehualye BELETE ETH 1:47:33
Men 20km Walk
1. Lebogang SHANGE RSA 1:26:58
2. Samuel GATHIMBA KEN 1:27:11
3. Mohamed AMEUR ALG 1:27:48
4. Hassanine SBAI TUN 1:28:28
5. David KIMUTAI KEN 1:29:16

IAAF has cleared Kenya and the US to proceed with the bidding process after accepting their applications in March and will now have until September 25 to submit the bidding document/FILE

Speaking on Friday when unveiling the team at Riadha House, AK boss Isaiah Kiplagat said Kenya had high chances of winning the bid after Argentina withdrew, leaving only America in the race.

“We are looking forward to winning this bid because as we speak Argentina has withdrawn leaving only USA as our only competitor. We are going to Monaco with a strong document that will be successive for us to be granted the hosting rights for the event in 2017,” Kiplagat declared.

He assured that both national and Nairobi County Governments are in support of the bid since there is a lot to work including purchasing of youth equipment to convince IAAF to award them the rights.

“The committee will start working immediately to ensure the document is ready once the Ministry of Sports signs the event agreement document to show their financial guarantee and assurance that the event will be funded by both governments,” the AK chief assured.

He added, “There will be a lot of requirements to prove we can host the event and with that, we will have to purchase Youth equipment and refurbish Nyayo National Stadium that we have proposed as the hosting venue as well as constructing a warm up track.”

The committee that involves all stakeholders will start bid documentation that has to be handed to the IAAF Council with the final decision taking place in November during the World Athletics Gala in Monaco.

This will be the third time AK will be looking to host a major championship after successfully staging the 2007 IAAF World Cross Championships in Mombasa and 2010 CAA Africa Senior Championships in Athletics in Nairobi.

The biennial global showpiece is open to athletes aged 17 or younger and has produced athletes who end up becoming stars such as double Olympics and Worlds sprint champion, Usain Bolt of Jamaica, 2011 double World champion, Vivian Cheruiyot and recently graduated 1,500 champion, Faith Chepng’etich among others.

The event first ran in 1999 in Bydgoszcz, Poland while the 2015 event will be staged in Cali, Colombia with Donetsk, Ukraine hosting the latest running last year.

Committee members appointed:
Chairman: Retired Lt. Gen Jack Tuwei (AK vice president)
Members: David Okeyo (AK vice president), Isaac Mwangi (AK CEO), Fatma Awale (AK vice president), Wilberforce Chebet (Sports Stadia Management Board) Faizal Lasker (KICC/Ministry of Tourism), Kihara Ndung’u (Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government), Evans Kinyanjui (Department of Immigration), Christopher Khaemba (Nairobi County Government), Gordon Oluoch (Commissioner for Sports), Patrick Omutie (Sports PS) and the newly appointed AK marketing consultants.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 16 – Kenya Premier League Champions Gor Mahia were bundled out of the ongoing Cecafa Club Championship after failing to register a win in three matches, this time settling for a 2-2 draw with hosts APR at Rwanda’s Nyamirambo Stadium.

APR captain Jean Mugirineza struck first in the 21st minute after miscommunication between Harambee Stars keeper Jerim Onyango and his defender Godfrey Walusimbi.

Ugandan Geoffrey Kizito brought Gor back into the game after powerfully heading Walusimbi’s long range cross for the equaliser in the 54th minute before fellow countryman Walusimbi curved in a free-kick in the 83rd to double the scores.

Substitute Bernabe Mubumbyi broke Gor’s heart after restoring parity in the dying minutes to send the military side top of Group B on seven points.

K’Ogalo who are yet to play their last preliminary match against Djibouti’s Telcom on Sunday, made four changes from the squad that lost 1-0 to Atletico with talisman Dan Sserunkuma starting on the bench while Walusimbi made a comeback from illness.

K’Ogalo who were seeking their first win of the tournament drew the first blood with George ‘Black Berry’ Odhiambo coming close after kick-off when he made a good run from the right but keeper Oliver Kwizera cleared the danger for a fruitless corner.

The hosts responded swiftly six minutes later when Mugirineza weaved through three Kenyans in the midfield to provide a through pass to Patrick Sibomana but Onyango did well to deny him.

APR continued raiding Gor’s defence with Michel Ndahinduka missing an open chance after side netting Charles Tibingana’s corner.

Mugireneza punished K’Ogalo after a defensive lapse that saw Onyango spill Jean Claude’s header for the skipper to break the deadlock.

Two minutes later Onyango was forced to punch Ndahinduka’s thunderbolt for a corner that went futile as Gor trailed at the break.

Williamson charges resumed a better side that saw them score two goals with Kizito going first in the 54th with a free header from a Walusimbi long-range cross.

Walusimbi salvaged some pride for K’Ogalo seven minutes to the final whistle through a well executed set piece that went past Kwizera after Erick Rutanga brought Odhiambo down at the edge of the box.

But the hero of the day was Mubumbyi who came off the bench to level from a good build up in the left that saw him tap in Mugirineza’s cross for Gor to bid the regional tournament good bye as they are bottom of Group B with a single point.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 16 – After showing exemplary performance at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and African Senior Athletics Championships, Javelin star Julius Yego is now targeting gold at IAAF Continental Cup that runs September 13 and 14 in Marrakech, Morocco to complete a hat-trick of titles.

Yego, who became the first Kenyan to win gold in field events at the Club Games, was speaking on Saturday when the team arrived back in the county to a warm reception that brought the busy Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to a standstill.

As the norm, Athletics Kenya (AK) officials led by president Isaiah Kiplagat joined relatives and friends who chanted praise songs while feeding the athletes with mursik (a traditional drink for Kalenjins made of fermented milk).

The two-time African Champion said he is focused on making another history in Continental Cup rather than breaking his personal best of 85.40m he set in Moscow at the World Championships last year.

“I’m happy for the good results I have achieved this year. I was in good form in Glasgow although I had a groin injury but the best athlete won and that was me.”

“I’m not looking at the distance, my main aim is to win the Continental Cup and accomplish three titles in a row,” the 25-year-old told Capital FM Sport.

Yego confirmed he will take part in the last two Diamond Leagues set for Zurich and Brussels before heading to the Continental Cup.

“I have two Diamond Leagues to compete before focusing on the Continental Cup where I’m going for a win and win another global event as I did in Glasgow which I treasure most.”

Kiprop seeks revenge at Continental Cup.
Two-time World Champion Asbel Kiprop who was beaten by Djibouti’s Ayanleh Souleiman to bag silver in the just concluded African Championships exuded confidence he will bounce back in Morocco.

“The race was good, I won silver and I’m really excited to win a medal and get selected to the Continental Cup in Morocco. Souleiman was good because he has been on top in the Diamond League so I was not surprised when he beat me, but I still have a point to prove at the Continental Cup whereby I now know it’s all about me and Souleiman. ”

“I really expect to perform well because winning is my priority,” the lanky Beijing Olympic Champion declared.

Kiprop did not participate in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after withdrawing during the national championships cum trials held in Nairobi June 7 to see James Magut crowned the Club Games champion.

Ndiku eyes 2016 Olympics
After upsetting double Olympic Champion and three-time Worlds winner in men’s 3000m steeple chase Ezekiel Kemboi, Jonathan Ndiku who settled for silver in Marrakech behind Jairus Birech, is now eying for next year’s Worlds and 2016 Olympics honours.

“I felt so nice beating Kemboi who has dominated the race for over a decade. I knew I could make it because I’m also a champion. We did not plan for the race. Everybody was chasing gold and I’m so happy I eventually made it. I’m looking forward for next year’s World Championship and 2016 Olympics. I want to be an Olympic Champion,” Ndiku who confirmed he will compete in Brussels Diamond League stated.

Explaining on his performance at the 19th African Championship, he said, “The weather was bad for me because I have never trained for such climate and that’s why my body did not respond well but in Glasgow I was strong enough to win the race because I had prepared for it.”

Former two-time World Junior Cross Champion Faith Chepng’etich did not hide her joy after winning her first 1,500m Club Games title as a senior when she beat Worlds bronze medallist Hellen Obiri who finished sixth.

“The championship in Glasgow was good, we tried our best to retain the title and I’m very happy that I struggled to win my first gold as a senior. The challenge was in Morocco because there was a lot of heat and Ethiopians were also there but I’m happy for those who made it to the Continental Cup,” Chepng’etich who finished fifth at African Championship underscored.

Track and field Team Manager Paul Mutwii pointed out exhaustion as the main cause why his charges did not better their 2012 performance but at the same, he was content with Glasgow’s outing.

“The going was tough in Morocco because my athletes were exhausted. We didn’t fly direct to Marrakech since we connected to Dubai and that really affected their performance. However, I’m glad we ended up with seven gold and all in all I regard the outing to be very successful,” the AK vice president explained.

“In Commonwealth, we were in a developed country compared to last edition in India where many teams did not enter so this made the competition very stiff,” Mutwii concluded.

The Continental Cup which was earlier referred as IAAF World Cup is an event that takes place after four years comprising of four teams namely; Africa, America, Asia Pacific and Europe.

The two-day competition will see each continent enter two athletes in each event, except for relays where one team will compete with a maximum of one athlete from each country per event.

No athlete shall be allowed to double in the 3000 m and 5000m.

Speaking during the launch of the sixth Mwea Classic Marathon, Makau said he has recovered fully and will run in a half marathon in Germany in September before competing in next year’s Tokyo Marathon/FILE

“The injury on my left knee was bad; it sidelined me for eight months. I was not happy seeing my colleagues winning in my absence but I have now recovered fully and I’m ready to go for it,” the 29-year-old whose last
major competition was at 2013 London Marathon stated.

“I am fit; my focus is to break the record again by lowering Kipsang’s time when next season begins. It’s a big possibility because it’s just amatter of training,” said the two time world half silver medallist.

Makau who broke Haile Gebrselassie’s 2:03:59 record at the 2011 Berlin Marathon, reigned for two years before Kipsang set a new world best of 2:03:23.

Apart from focusing on the world record and the coming international races, Makau has commenced a project in Ngong where he is training young and upcoming athletes to be future world beaters.

His charges will compete at this year’s Mwea Marathon on September 6.

“I have a plan to take ten athletes under my tutelage to the Mwea Classic Marathon. I have been nurturing them since 2011.”

“I believe time has come for them to go out there and prove themselves,” noted Makau, while urging other elite athletes to start personal projects in their various counties to raise athletics standards in Kenya.

As the race ambassador Makau said he cherishes his humble beginnings in the event which propelled him to stardom.

“I am urging Kenyans to take part in it because it is the event that helped me get started and played a huge role in realizing my dreams.”

The event which targets 3,000 participants includes 21K

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 21- Fiji denied Kenya her first medal in the second Youth Olympics Games after edging out the national 7s under-18 side 12-0 in the bronze play-off in Nanjing, China.

Paul Murunga charges beat Fiji 17-12 to make the semis but the pacific islanders turned tables in their rematch.

However, the country’s medal prospects turn to a familiar source when the track and field programme continues Thursday.

World Juniors 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, Rosefline Chepng’etich seeks to qualify for the 2,000m steeplechase final while Amos Kirui will battle it out in the corresponding men’s event.

Gilbert Kwemoi will also be in action in the men’s 1,500m.

In the rugby 7s bronze play-off, Fiji were awarded a penalty following a knock on to convert for the opener, before grounding two tries to earn revenge against Chipus.

“I’m proud of the boys’ display. They held their own against better prepared opponents and this team has shown what Kenya is capable of and if this group of players is maintained, nurtured and exposed, they can definitely attain great heights,” Murunga said after the match.

Kenya earlier lost 19-12 to Argentina in the semi-final while France beat the young Pumas 45-22 to win gold.

Jackline Chepkoech sailed to Sunday’s women 3,000m final to get the country to a promising start on the track.

Chepkoech who set her personal best of 9:08.54 qualified automatically after finishing fourth in a race that was dominated by Baharanian Fatuma Chebsi in 9:06.87.

In the men’s race, Moses Koech also made the medal event after crossing the line second in 8:06.50, behind Ethiopian Atomsa Yomif as Torrents Jordi from Spain qualified third.

Ian Mutuku romp Saturday’s 400m men final after finishing second in 47.56 in a race won by Botswana’s Sibanda Karabo while Brazilian Cordeiro Lima finished third.

The disappointment of the day was on Agnes Mulee who did not make it to the women’s 800m medal bracket despite finishing second in the heats in 2:10.26.

Italian Bello Elena won the race in 2:08.99 to see Mulee compete in final B.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 21 – The Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) has overturned Kenyan Premier League’s decision to award AFC Leopards maximum points from their abandoned fixture against Sony Sugar a fortnight ago.

The match was abandoned after KPL moved the match to Afraha Stadium for security reasons but the designated home team Sony refused to travel and Ingwe were handed the three points and a 2-0 goal victory cushion.

The Sugar Millers filed an appeal which was upheld by IDCC on Thursday ruling that the second leg match be replayed at Awendo’s Green Stadium in a date to be announced later.

IDCC said the designation of matches as ‘high risk’ must be fair, and must not favour any club but ordered KPL to inspect the Awendo stadium and ensure it is suitable to host Premier League matches.
Should the venue not be suitable then Sony will be obliged to host the match against Leopards at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Speaking to Capital Sport from Awendo after inspecting the stadium, KPL Head of Technical, Safety and Security GMT Ottieno, confirmed the venue is ready to host the match.

“We have just finished inspecting the stadium which is in good condition, what we are going to recommend is that the match be played on a week-day.

“Sony have no problem the match being played on a Wednesday, and in that we will be practicing fair play of the home and away basis,” Otieno stated.

“KPL shall reimburse AFC Leopards SC the expenses it incurred in relation to Match No. 158. In this respect, Leopards shall present to KPL proof of the said expenses by the August 29,” IDCC further ordered.

Leopards on their part are not ready to let the points go with Secretary General George Aladwa, saying they will not honor the fixture.

“We will not accept that, KPL already awarded us the points and it was already filled in the standings. We are not going to play as far as we are concerned we were winners of that match,” Aladwa told Capital Sport.

The IDCC will issue a reasoned ruling on the case August 29.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 21 – The Harambee Stars head coach musical chairs continued Thursday after it emerged both Bobby Williamson and Adel Amrouche were ‘in charge.’

The latest chapter in the Stars coaching merry go round played out amidst reports the Government was set to make a seismic announcement regarding FKF on Friday.

The impending proclamation has the potential of plunging the national team and the country’s football in general into an uncertain future following its ramifications on the global scene.

It all deepened when Gor Mahia confirmed Williamson will depart to take up the position after Sunday’s Kenyan Premier League game against Sony Sugar.

“Williamson is leaving; Sunday’s match will be his last at Gor before joining Stars.

“We are in the process of replacing him immediately because and we have received a lot of applications,” Gor Secretary General, Chris Omondi, told Capital Sport.

He added the club would decide whether to name a caretaker or a full time boss following the impending exit of the Scotsman who led them to a first league title in 18 years.

The development came hours after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chief Sam Nyamweya announced they did not terminate Belgian Amrouche’s five-year deal.

“Amrouche is suspended by CAF, we didn’t fire him. He was sacked by other people. We have suffered by his suspension and in all the three matches he was suspended we didn’t win so that’s why we must have a substantial coach.

“We have nothing wrong to do with him he was our employee and we have not taken any action against him,” Nyamweya declared on Wednesday.

He added, “I cannot discuss his contract in media because tomorrow I can be taken to court.”

The continuing saga took a further farcical twist when Nyamweya then stated:

“We appointed Bobby while on his way to Rwanda and we had agreed when he comes back we sit down and fine-tune his contract and start working.

“We are in the process of giving him and the technical bench the contract because it doesn’t take a day.”

On August 5 following Kenya’s 2015 Afcon second round defeat to Lesotho, Nyamweya named Williamson as Stars head coach assisted by retired captain Musa Otieno while another former international, Simeone Mulama was appointed team manager.

However, FKF mandarins have belatedly realised they fired Amrouche in haste and on Tuesday, the Belgian appeared before the CAF Disciplinary Committee to appeal his one-year ban from football relating to spitting allegations in their qualifier against Comoros Islands.

The federation gave Amrouche an August 15 deadline to show-cause why his contract should not be terminated in an inquest into the Lesotho loss with a 7-member committee led by Professor Moni Wekesa formed to investigate the circumstances that led to the 1-0 aggregate defeat in the second round of the qualifiers.

“Amrouche wrote a letter to us as we requested and as NEC we are going to look at it and reply accordingly,” Nyamweya conceded.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 21 – World Junior silver medallist Rosefline Chepng’etich, is in line for a tilt at the Youth Olympic Games title after cruising to Monday’s 2000m women steeplechase final in Nanjing, China on Thursday.

Chepng’etich, the World Youth Champion ran her life time best of 6:20.10 to finish first in the semi-finals ahead of Ethiopian Teklemaream Zewdinesh (6:37.65) while Hungarian Toth Anna was third after running her personal best of 6:40.00.

Amos Kirui also booked an automatic slot in the men’s event after crossing the line third in 5:41.70 behind Moroccan Chemlal Hicham (5:39.60) while Ethiopian Sidamo Wogene won the race in his personal best of 5:34.24.

Gilbert Kwemoi dominated the men’s 1,500m to storm the finals in his personal best of 3:45.21, ahead of Djibouti’s Isamail Ibrahim and Rwandese James Sugira who also automatically qualified.

Friday’s programme will see Anthony Kiptoo seek to qualify to the men’s 800m final while Winfred Mbithe will be up in the women’s 1,500m semi-final.

Geoffrey Kipng’etich will compete in the men’s 400m hurdles while Maureen Nyatichi will be looking to become the first Kenyan to win a medal in women’s 200m.

Kenya is yet to medal at the event.

NEW YORK, August 22- Reigning New York City Marathon champions Geoffrey Mutai and Priscah Jeptoo, both of Kenya, will defend their titles at the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, on Sunday 2 November.

In last year’s race, Mutai outran the men’s field to win by nearly a minute in 2:08:24, and Jeptoo came from more than a half a mile behind to take the lead in the race’s final three miles and win in ime of 2:25:07.

“With Geoffrey and Priscah headlining the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon, we welcome back two great champions to the streets of New York City,” said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners.

“Last year, both Geoffrey and Priscah were inspirations to us all. This November, when they line up in Staten Island to start their journey through the unique neighborhoods of the City’s five boroughs, these world-class athletes will be chasing history, as Geoffrey goes for a New York hat trick and Priscah looks to join an elite group of repeat winners.”

Mutai, 32, is the New York course record holder with 2:05:06 and two-time defending champion of the New York City Marathon.

He ran the fastest marathon of all time, 2:03:02, to win the 2011 Boston Marathon; however, the course is ineligible for world records due to its net drop in elevation and point-to-point layout.

In 2012, Mutai, the reigning NYC Half 2014 champion, captured the 2011–2012 World Major Marathon series title with victories at three of the six World Marathon Majors races—Boston (2011), New York (2011), and Berlin (2012).

“I’ll be back!” said Mutai. “New York is a very special place for me and I’m very excited to defend my title and go for a third win at the TCS New York City Marathon.”

A victory for Mutai would make him the third man in history to win three or more New York City Marathons and the first to do so since Alberto Salazar won the race from 1980 to 1982. Bill Rogers won four consecutive times, from 1976 to 1979.

Jeptoo, now 30, clinched the 2012–2013 World Marathon Majors series title with victories at both the New York and London Marathons in 2013, a silver medal performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games marathon, and a third-place finish at the London Marathon in 2012.

She boasts a marathon personal best of 2:20:14. After suffering an injury that caused her to drop out of the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon this past spring, Jeptoo is determined to defend her title at the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon.

“I am very happy to come back to defend my title at the TCS New York City Marathon early November,” said Jeptoo. “I know the field will be extremely competitive in New York as it is every year, but I will try my best to win again. I recovered well from my injury in London and hope all will be good in my preparation from now until November 2.”

A win for Jeptoo in New York this year would make her the seventh woman to win New York in two consecutive years. Nine-time champion Grete Waitz and three-time champion Paula Radcliffe are the only women to have won more than two titles.

Last year, 50,266 runners crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon, making it the world’s largest marathon ever. Runners from more than 100 countries and each of the 50 states participated.

MADRID, August 22- Chris Froome will go head-to-head with in-form Colombian rider Nairo Quintana when the final Grand Tour of the season, the Tour of Spain, gets underway in Jerez on Saturday.

Kenyan-born Froome’s defence of the Tour de France was ended by hand injuries after a series of nasty falls just five stages into the race last month, but he has recovered in time to try and make up for that disappointment to take his place as Team Sky leader.

“This is exactly the sort of challenge that I need after the disappointment of withdrawing from the Tour de France,” the 29-year-old Kenyan born star said.

“You can’t dwell on disappointment, you have to move on quickly to the next thing and the Vuelta has become the perfect race for me to focus on.”

The gruelling 21-stage race features eight mountain finishes, two individual time trials and gets underway with a team time-trial through Jerez.

In a break from tradition the final stage will also be an individual time trial into the northwestern city Santiago de Compostela rather than the final day parade around Madrid.

Sky sporting director Dario Cioni is hoping a fast start can give Froome the upper hand.

“With the team time trial straight away we have an opportunity to give Chris a head start,” he told skysports.com

“We’ve got a strong team here so why not aim to have a fast start and get a good result for the team? And a good result is going to be to try and win the stage.”

Movistar’s Quintana has been in sublime form this season as he claimed his first Grand Tour victory in the Giro d’Italia in June before also winning on his return to action in the Tour of Burgos last week.

He should also be fresher than his rivals having not competed in the Tour de France despite coming second to Froome in 2013. The 24-year-old, though, has stiff competition just to be the lead rider in his own team as Movistar have named both he and 2009 Tour of Spain winner Alejandro Valverde as co-leaders for the race.

“Having Nairo and Alejandro we have to start with the intention of fighting to win,” said Movistar’s general manager Eusebio Unzue.

“Nairo, after 70 days without competing, has return to show his professionalism to get to the start line in great condition and we know Alejandro is a very important man for us and can also be in the fight for the general classification.”

However, Unzue is still wary of the threat caused by Froome.

“Froome has been dominant in the Grand Tours over the past few years and therefore out of respect he ought to be favourite.”

Two-time winner Alberto Contador will also be making his return after a broken shinbone forced him out of the Tour de France. However, the Spaniard has played down expectations that he can challenge for the overall victory given his lack of preparation time.

“I know that it is a Tour of Spain that I will have to plan very differently from what I had intended at the start of the season or how I planned at the start of the Tour de France.

“But I think I can come into the race thinking about ending the season well and starting next year with more guarantees.

“Perhaps in the last week I will be able to fight for a stage victory.”

Defending champion American Chris Horner will be aiming to repeat his remarkable surge to victory last year which saw him aged 41 become the oldest ever champion in a Grand Tour.

Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez is also likely to cause a threat in the mountains as he rides for Katusha.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 22- Commonwealth champions, Caleb Mwangangi and Julius Yego failed to spark at the cold and damp IAAF Diamond League Meet in Stockholm on a night Kenyans failed to bag a win for the first time in this season’s circuit series.

Thomas Longosiwa, the 2008 Olympics 5000m bronze winner, was the only athlete in his country’s much vaunted brigade to emerge with credit from the Swedish capital when he ran a polished year best of 12:59.17 for second in his speciality.

Freshly coined World Junior champion, Alfred Kipketer, mixed with the big boys and finished second in Race 1 of the men’s 800m in 1:46.69.

Ethiopia’s Muktar Edris won the men’s 5000m in a world season’s best of 12:54.83, holding off the challenge of Longosiwa and Glasgow champion, Mwangangi.

The trio had broken clear of USA’s flagging Galen Rupp as the race approached the bell in the 1912 Olympic stadium

Longosiwa, who pushed Edris all the way to the line, finished ahead of the taller figure of Ndiku who was nonetheless rewarded with a personal best of 12:59.17, with Rupp finishing a distant fourth in the blustery conditions in 13:05.97.

Having led for three laps after the last pacer dropped away, Rupp was left to solve a tactical problem as the leading men settled in behind him.

In the men’s Javelin, Yego who defended his African crown in Morocco last week, was briefly in contention when his 84.67m effort took him up to second before three successive foul throws saw him slide down the order to finish fourth.

Finnish Antti Ruuskanen won with 87.24m ahead of Germany’s Thomas Rohler (85.12m) and former world champion, Tero Pitkamaki (84.73m) who closed the podium.

Viola Kibiwott, the former World Cross junior champion finished fifth (4:04.17) in the women 1500m final won by American champion, Jennifer Simpson (4:00.38).

Hyvin Kiyeng (9:17.04) was the best placed Kenyan in the women 3000m steeple with Worlds silver medallist, Lidya Chepkirui, continuing with her unrewarding season after finishing 10th in 9:36.37.

LONDON, August 22- Troubled former England star Paul Gascoigne has been taken to hospital after being found slumped outside his home clutching a bottle of gin, a British newspaper reported Friday.

The Daily Mirror said the 47-year-old Gascoigne, who faces eviction from his luxury flat in Poole on England’s south coast because of complaints by neighbours, had phoned a friend asking: “I’m in trouble, please can you come and help me?”

It carried pictures of a gaunt-lookingGascoigne being helped into an ambulance by police and paramedics.

Since retiring from top-level football, former midfielder Gascoigne — who played for Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Italian giants Lazio and Glasgow Rangers, as well as helping England reach the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, has suffered with alcoholism problems and has had several spells in treatment clinics, most recently in January.

He last played professionally a decade ago when he made five appearances for then English fourth-tier club Boston United.

Gascoigne was fined £1,000 (1,250 euros) by British magistrates last August after assaulting a railway guard who tried to stop him falling on to the line while drunk.

His latest health scare came after it emerged he had been signed up to play for a local non-league Sunday side.

Chris Foster, the manager of Abbey FC, is also a taxi driver who has picked up Gascoigne on several occasions.

“I have picked him up a few times and spoken to him about signing for us. Although he laughed it off, he didn’t say no,” Foster told the Bournemouth Daily Echo on Thursday.

“I dropped him off at his flat a couple of weeks ago and he asked me to go to the shop to get him some cigarettes. When I got back, I was invited in and we had a good chat about various things.

“I gave him the cigarettes and pulled out the signing-on form at the same time. He signed it there and then. I was chuffed to bits and ran to the car as fast as I could,” Foster added.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 22- The perfect stage is set for the grand finale of Bobby Williamson’s reign at the helm of champions Gor Mahia when they resume their domestic duties against fierce rivals, Sony Sugar.

Seasoned script writers could not have penned a more befitting final act for Williamson, whom the club confirmed on Wednesday to Capital Sport, will depart to take over Harambee Stars after the Sunday encounter that has a feisty history to match.

Colloquially, the fixture is labelled ‘Gor A’ versus ‘Gor B’ in reference to their regional roots in the Nyanza region, a billing that infuriates Sony, inspiring them to reserve their best against K’Ogalo.

Besides drawing their bedrock support from the lake region, north and south Nyanza sub-tribe rivalries simmer under the surface and Williamson, the soft spoken man for the big occasion, will relish more than most the challenge to exit with the scalp of the ‘big enemy’ to cement his legacy after leading Gor for a year and two months.

To add spice to the tempestuous encounter, Gor’s City Stadium citadel in Nairobi will be the venue where thousands of the Green Army faithful will troop to accord their beloved head coach a befitting farewell.

On the opposite end of the dugout, another famous son of K’Ogalo, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, who until last season was the last Gor captain to lift the national title in 1995, thickens the plot by scheming to spoil the grand finale.

This has the potential of entering local football folklore if a festival of memorable football between two sides out to win at all cost is served.

Conversely, the underlying tensions could provide the recipe for disaster should they rear their ugly heads, an outcome all lovers of Kenyan football pray will not be the case.

Regardless of the result, the 53-year-old Scotsman will exit with his head held high after guiding Gor to their first domestic league titles in 18 years in addition to leaving Gor in a commanding position to repeat their success since they have three matches at hand on title rivals Tusker FC and Sofapaka.

The chasing pair failed to make capital on Gor’s two-week absence to feature in the Cecafa Kagame Cup where they bowed out at the group stages last week.

Having failed at the finish line to lead K’Ogalo to the trophy in 2010 when they finished runner-ups to Ulinzi Stars on the final day, Otieno could as well audition for the soon to be vacant role by reminding the Green Army faithful who hounded him out of the club the next season of his coaching credentials by silencing the crowd with victory.

Williamson who is yet to lose a match at City this season, has also never lost to Sony since joining K’Ogalo in February last year.

Under Williamson’s charge, seven players who lifted the league departed the club (keeper Ivo Mapunda, defender Donald Musoti both to Tanzanian side Simba SC, midfielders Anthony Akumu and Kevin Omondi, winger Shaban Kenga as well as forwards Rama Salim and Paul Kiongera).

“We as a club truly appreciate Williamson’s work since he arrived in Gor. He is a professional coach who saw us through tough times and through his guidance, we won the title and we are at a very good position to defend the title again this season.

“We wish him well and we will seek for his advice if necessary because he said he will be available when we need his advice,” Gor secretary, Chris Omondi told Capital Sport in hailing Williamson.

Sony, who lost 1-0 in the first-leg come to this fixture wounded and seeking to bounce from defeat by a similar marging to Western Stima last weekend.

The match will be the highlight of the weekend KPL programme.

On the other end of the spectrum, Nairobi City Stars will be looking to escape the relegation trap door in their trip to the coast to face Bandari whilst Chemelil Sugar welcome Stima to their Chemelil Complex home out to mill the three points out of them also on Saturday.

Basement side Nakuru All Stars will be up against Thika United at the Thika Municipal on Sunday.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 22- Paul Kiongera gave KCB a perfect farewell gift after netting the winning goal against KRA in a 1-0 victory that lifted them off the relegation zone in a Kenyan Premier League match played Friday at Nairobi City Stadium.

Kiongera, who is set to join Tanzanian giants Simba SC when the Vodacom league kicks-off this weekend, scored the all important goal in the14th minute after heading home his fifth of the season.

That hauled the Bankers up to 14th on the log with 18 points above Nairobi City Stars who dropped to the relegation zone on goal difference.

“We are happy we have won, it gives us confidence going forward. If we continue winning I’m sure we will survive in the KPL.

“The team is building well from behind and our game plan of keeping the ball is working so we just need to win the rest of our matches and we will be safe,” Kiongera said post-match.

He is set to re-unite with former Gor Mahia team mates; keeper Ivo Mapunda and defender Donald Mosoti in Simba on September 1.

The Bankers made three changes, bringing back John Odhiambo, Ronald Musana and Raymond Murugi and went on to outclass the taxmen who had the defensive pair of Douglas Okumu and Edwin Misiko as well as midfielder Barrack Odhiambo as the fresh faces in their squad.

The first half turned literally into a Kiongera versus KRA with the forward tormenting the ruthlessly exposed keeper, Phillip Odhiambo.

The pair faced up for the first time in the 11th minute with Odhiambo making the save but could not do nothing 180 seconds later when Kiongera headed in the opener after connecting a Murugi cross from the left.

Midfielder Benjamin Chaka could have doubled the lead in the 19th with his long-range howitzer that beat Odhiambo all ends up but missed the target by inches.

A minute later, the overworked custodian denied Kiongera his brace after parrying his powerful header for a fruitless corner before repelling the same forward’s header minutes later.

Kiongera and Murugi combined well to expose Ken Kenyatta’s but yet again, Odhiambo stood tall between the sticks.

With a quarter an hour to the break, the Jomo Kenyatta University student was at it again after he found space to unleash a thunderbolt that forced the custodian to stretch full length to punch it out.

After the break, KCB elected to sit on their lead and despite new life in KRA; it was Murugi who came closest to extend the lead on 78 on the breakaway but in following the tale of the match, Odhiambo repelled the challenge.

Kenyatta introduced Robert Binja for Barrack but his charges could not rally in the closing stages to at least rescue a point as KCB enjoyed the welcome view of the table above the drop zone.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 23- Kenya’s search for a first medal at the second Youth Olympic Games will spill to Sunday after Ian Mutuku finished fourth in Saturday’s men’s 400m final in Nanjing, China.

Mutuku who stormed the finals after booking the second automatic spot in the semis, clocked 47.08 while Jamaican Martin Manley won gold in 46.31 ahead of Botswana’s Sibanda Karabo who bagged silver in his personal best of 46.76.

Henri Delauze from Bahrain settled for bronze after running his personal best of 46.91.

Agnes Mulee failed to show up at the call room in the women’s 800m final B in a race that was won Bermuda’s Faheemah Scraders in 2:10.66.

However, Kenya will chase four golds on Sunday with Jackline Chepkoech seeking to retain the country’s women 3000m title that was won by Gladys Chesir in 2010.

Chepkoech who set her personal best of 9:08.54 to qualify automatically after finishing fourth in the semis, face stiff challenge from Baharanian Fatuma Chebsi, Ethiopian Asgedom Berhan, Burundian Nahimana Cavaline and Japanese Takamatsu Musembi who all beat her in the semis.

Moses Koech will fly the nation’s flag in the men’s final after crossing the line second in 8:06.50, behind Ethiopian Atomsa Yomif and Spaniard Torrents Jordi in the semis.

Gilbert Kwemoi who dominated the men’s 1500m semis, will also be in action while Maureen Nyatichi will be seeking to become the first Kenyan to win a medal in the women’s 200.

At the 2010 edition in Singapore, Kenya collected six medals, three gold and equivalent number of bronze.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 23- Belgian Adel Amrouche breathed a sigh of relief, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reduced his one-year ban to six matches, following his appeal against the initial heavy sanction.

Amrouche was slapped with the lengthy ban after being accused of allegedly spitting on a fourth official during Harambee Stars 2015 Africa Cup of Nations pre-qualifiers second leg against Comoros in Maseru, May 30.

The man whose future as Harambee Stars coach is in doubt will nonetheless fork a USD 10,000 (Sh883,000) fine.

“Having reviewed new evidence on the record, including the DVD of the game, the images provided by the plaintiff and the testimony of Comoros head coach who was a direct eye witness of alteration, we concluded there was no certainty as to the facts alleged against the plaintiff,” the statement from CAF read.

“However, based on the DVD, the Appeal Board found the behavior of the Kenyan coach through the match was not blameless, he repeatedly engaged in disrespectful attitude against central referee of the match and the fourth referee, especially following his ejection.

“For these and other reasons, the Board of Appeal acknowledged Amrouche was responsible for having violated section 82, 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, relating respectively to the principal of conduct 82 and responsibility 83,” the Appeals Board continued.

“The Board of Appeal under the provisions of Articles 31,32,33,82,88,117 and 129 of the CDC and Article 36 of the regulations of the African Cup of Nations, sanctioned Amrouche with a suspension of six matches without a presence on the reserve bench for anti-sporting behavior effective May 30.”

Amrouche alongside his two assistants James Nandwa and Ken Odhiambo as well as goal keeper trainer Iddi Salim were initially fired by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) immediately Harambee Stars were bundled out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations pre-qualifiers by minnows Lesotho August 3 in Nairobi.

The federation went on to appoint Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson to replace the Belgian assisted by retired captain Musa Otieno and former international Simeone Mulama as the Team Manager.

FKF are yet to terminate Amrouche’s five-year contract and on Wednesday federation boss Sam Nyamweya said, “Amrouche wrote a letter to us as we requested and as NEC we are going to look at it and reply accordingly.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 24 -Winger Noah Wafula scored a brace to send defending champions AFC Leopards to the Round of 16 of the GOtv Shield in their 3-2 win over Mathare United at a soggy Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

A heavy downpour nearly saw referee Badir Yasin call off the game at half-time after declaring the pitch waterlogged but 40 minutes later, action resumed after consultations between both teams and match officials.

Wafula scored his two goals inside the opening ten minutes, opening the scoring after four before striking again five later.

An own goal from Harambee defender James Situma halved the deficit on the hour mark before substitute Edwin Ombasa equalised for Stanley Okumbi’s charges in the 73rd but veteran Charles Okwemba had the last word four minutes to full time.

The first half belonged to Ingwe who were determined to end their three game winless run this season against Mathare as Bernard Mang’oli, Okwemba and Humphrey Mieno dominated the midfield.

Mathare resumed a more rejuvenated side but keeper Patrick Matasi did well to stop Harrison Mwendwa and Daniel Mwaura long range shots to see Ingwe start their title defence on a winning note.

Leopards will now meet Ligi Ndogo in the pre-quarter finals.

In the Kenyan Premier League, hosts Chemelil Sugar and Western Stima played to a goalless draw while relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars failed to collect maximum points away to Bandari after the match ended to a barren stalemate.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 25 – Gilbert Kwemoi finally hit the golden jackpot for Kenya at the second Youth Olympic Games after taking the honours in the men’s 1500m.

Moses Koech bagged bronze in the men’s 3000m for the country’s second medal at the ongoing global competition in Nanjing, China.

Jackline Chepkoech surrendered Kenya’s women 3000m title after finishing sixth as Maureen Nyatichi’s hopes of making history as the first winner of the women’s 200m dissipated after placing just outside the medals to wrap an action packed Sunday.

Kwemoi continued with his brilliant performance in the metric mile race after winning gold in a new career best of 3:41.99 having set his previous benchmark during the semi finals of these championships.

Ethiopian Mulegeta Asefa followed in his slipstream for silver in 3:45.08 way off the pace as Djibouti’s Ismail Ibrahim settled for bronze after running to his personal best of 3:45.72.

In the men 3000m, Koech took the bronze in 8:06.33 in a final won by Ethiopia’s Atomsa Kejelcha (7:56.20) trailed home by Burundian Thiery Ndikumwenayo (8:06.05).

However, the corresponding women’s event saw Chepkoech faded badly to sixth in 9:20.43 in a race won by Japanese runner Takamatsu Musembi who has Kenyan roots, in 9:01.58 (PB).

In the women longer dash Nyatichi’s heroic run ended in fourth in 24.43 as Jamaica’s Wyte Natallian (23.55) took the gold.

Kenya will be seeking to increase her medal tally on Monday when World Youth champion Rosefline Chepng’etich competes in the women’s 2000m steeple chase.

The World Junior silver medallist who ran her lifetime best of 6:20.10 to book the final ticket will be looking to graduate to the senior on a high.

Amos Kirui will compete in the corresponding men’s event while Winfred Mbithe will be up to challenge the women’s 1500m title.