NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 25 – Despite strong headwinds that curtailed his speed, African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala did just but enough to win the Kenyan trials and qualify for both the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games next month.
Omanyala timed 10.03secs, just within the 10.05secs World Championship qualification mark. However, that did not matter much as he had already attained the time, having clocked 9.85secs earlier in the season.
“The winds were very strong and so it was a bit hard to dip under 10 seconds because that was my target. But those are some of the challenges you get in a race so you always have to be ready for anything,” Omanyala said.
He added; “But I am happy I have managed to get into the Commonwealth team and we start preparing to do well.”
Ferdinand Omanyala cruises to victory in the 100m race at the Athletics Kenya Trials. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
After one false start claimed Hebson Ochieng as a casualty, the athletes were off to a smooth sail on the second attempt with Omanyala stepping on the pedal with a good punch on the final 50m.
Samuel Imeta came home second in 10.25secs which was outside the World Championship qualification mark but was enough to get him into the Commonwealth Games team.
Meanwhile, Maxmilla Imali managed to earn a ticket for the Commonwealth Games team afterwinning the corresponding women’s race in 11.19secs.
At the same time Mary Moraa seems to be enjoying her weekend. Just a day after setting a new Personal best, the World Under-18 Silver medalist crushed the National 400m record after storming to victory in 50.84secs.
Mary Moraa celebrates after winning the 400m final at the Athletics Kenya National Trials. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
The time was not only enough to lower Hellen Syombua’s 51.09 national mark but was enough to get her a ticket to the World Championships whose qualification mark is 51.35secs.
It now means she will double at both the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
“I am really happy to have not only picked the record but also qualified in both events. I am pleased and hopefully I will do well,” Moraa said.
Before switching to the 800m race which has now become her specialty, Moraa was a 400m athlete and won the World Under-18 silver in 2017 while competing in the event.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 25 – Coming into the final day of Team Kenya trials for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, 17-year old Emmanuel Wanyonyi was the man on form in the 800m, but, the World Under-20 Champion from last year, almost missed out on qualification due to a poor lane decision.
Wanyonyi found himself boxed out from the inner lane after the bell and he was forced to run from outside, meaning he had to work extra hard to recover and earn qualification.
Ultimately, he dug deep into his energy reserves at the home stretch to come home second, clocking 1min 44.01secs, behind reigning Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal who stopped the clock in a time of 1mins, 43.54secs.
“That is what almost cost me because I did not get into the inner lane quick enough and in trials, it is a battle. Everyone is fighting for a place in the team and no one wants to give you space. Even my coach (Janeth Jepkosgei) told me about that mistake but I am glad I managed to qualify,” said the teenager.
Wycliffe Kinyamal battles to win the men’s 800m at the National Trials as Emmanuel Wanyonyi storms into second. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
He however hopes not to do the same at both the Worlds and Commonwealth Games where he wants to clinch at least a medal in both.
“Athletics is about experience and this is something you gather as you go. There are some painful lessons but the best thing is to learn. I want to keep working hard to ensure that I try to improve especially with speed in the final kick,” he added.
Among thoise who missed out on a place in Team Kenya for both the Worlds and Commonwealth Games included Olympic medalist ferguson Rotich who finished 11th as well as USA based Michael Saruni who was ninth.
World U20 Silver Medalist Noah Kibet who led the race up to the home stretch steamed off and finished eighth.
At the same time, an athlete who also pulled the same feat as Wanyonyi was Kibiwott Kandie in the men’s 10,000m.
Kibiwott Kandie after winning the 10,000m race at the National trials. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
The 26-year old had played second fiddle for most parts of the race, sticking behind the leading pack. But at the bell, he showed some good afterburners to sprint away from sixth to the lead, getting to power home in a time of 27mins, 33.57secs.
He managed to edge out Stanley Waithaka from the lead, the latter coming home second in 27mins, 34.01secs. Daniel Mateiko was third in 27mins, 34.62secs.
Commonwealth Games 5,000m bronze medalist Edward Zakayo was fourth in 27mins, 38.07secs.
“I am glad that I managed to get the win. In these long distance races what matters most is usually the last 300m and that was my tactic today to run calmly then attack in the final parts of the race. It worked very well and I am pleased to have achieved first place,” he said after the race.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 25 – Athletics Kenya has named a strong team that heads out to the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with plenty of athletes doubling in both events.
Athletics Kenya had said they will select an almost similar team to both Championships to ensure the country is strongly represented.
“Previously we would take the top three to the World Championships then maybe four and five to the Commonwealth Games but we wanted a very strong team in both events. The same team that will be in Oregon will head to Birmingham,” said Barnaba Korir, an Athletics Kenya Committee Member.
He added; “We will have the entire team camp together in a bubble before the leave.”
While most will double in the two events, there will also be cases of athletes doing the ‘double double’, competing in two events at the Worlds and Commonweal Games.
Mary Moraa celebrates after winning the 400m in a new National record. PHOTO/ Timothy Olobulu
Mary Moraa will do both the 400m and 800m at the Worlds and Commonwealth Games, same as Emmanuel Korir who will do the same events twice.
There are also athletes who have selected to do the Worlds and bypass the Commonwealth Games.
Faith Kipyegon will only concentrate on the 1500m race at the World Championships. At the Trials, she only ran the 800m and finished second which gave her a ticket to the Commonwealth Games, but she has not been selected in the team.
She did not have to compete in the 1500m at the Trials as being a Diamond League champion, she had a wildcard already.
At the same time, Hellen Obiri will double in the 5,000m and 10,000m in Oregon, but will not compete in Birmingham. The 33-year old is the reigning 5,000m World Champion and has a Wild card.
She won the women’s 10,000m at the Trials and attained World Championship qualification time, and was also eligible for Commonwealth.
Ferdinand Omanyala and Samwel Imeta will both represent Kenya at the Commonwealth Games. PHOTO/ Timothy Olobulu
Ferdinand Omanyala will also headline Kenya’s team to the Commonwealth Games as he won the trials and will be accompanied by Samwel Imeta who came second. The latter however did not attain World Championship qualification time like Omanyala.
USA based 400m Hurdler Moitalel Mpoke will also not compete at the Commonwealth Games and will only be at the Worlds. Kenya’s representative in Birmingham will be Wiseman Were.
At the same time, World Under-20 Champion steeplechase champion Amos Serem and 10,000m winner Kibiwott Kandie who both won their races will not be in the World Championships team due to strict Anti-Doping rules but have been included in the team to Birmingham.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
The Kenyan team for the World Championships poses with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and AK boss Jackson Tuwei. PHOTO/ Timothy Olobulu
Men
100m – Ferdinand Omanyala
400m – Emmanuel Korir
400mH – Moitalel Mpoke
800m – Emmanuel Korir, Wycliffe Kinyamal, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Cornelius Tuwei
1,500m – Timothy Cheruiyot, Abel Kipsang, Kumari Taki, Charles Simotwo
3,000m Steeplechase – Conseslus Kipruto, Abraham Kibiwott, Leonard Bett, Benjamin Kigen
5,000m – Nicholas Kimeli, Jacob Krop, Daniel Simiu
10,000m – Stanley Waithaka, Daniel Mateiko, Rodgers Kwemoi
20km Walk – Samuel Gathimba
Marathon – Barnaba Kiptum, Geoffrey Kamworor, Lawrence Cherono
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 27 – The national men’s basketball team Kenya Morans have stretched out their begging bowls, asking for financial help to aid them travel to Egypt for the qualifiers for next year’s World Cup.
The team says it currently does not have financial muscle to finance the trip to Alexandria, Egypt, where they are scheduled to play the return phase of the second round of qualification matches.
According to a letter from the Ministry of Sports addressed to the Kenya Basketball Federation, the Morans were told there is currently no money in government coffers to help them travel for the Qualifiers.
The Morans are scheduled to travel to Alexandria at the end of the month for Group D matches against Senegal, DR Congo and hosts Egypt.
“Missing out on this Championship would mean Kenya would face sanctions from the International Basketball body (FIBA) as players had already been registered and fixtures set. It would also mean that the country would face bans from international basketball activities which will be detrimental to the sport in Kenya which had gained tremendous ground in the last four years,” a statement from the Morans read.
Kenya played in the first round of qualification matches in February in Dakar, Senegal but lost all their matches.
They however stand a chance heading to Alexandria, as two wins in three matches will see them seal a place in the final round of qualification matches.
The team had hopes of building on from their heroic run at the 2020 FIBA AfroCan in Mali where they reached the final.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 28 – Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera has launched a personal appeal to well wishers to help the team successfully honor their Rugby Africa World Cup qualification tournament in France.
Shujaa are scheduled to travel to France on Tuesday night ahead of the tournament, but the team has been rocked with financial difficulty to offset their Sh10mn budget.
They had asked for funds from the Ministry of Sports, but were told the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund had depleted its budget and would not be in a position to finance their trip.
Odera has now launched an appeal targeting at least 10,000 Simbas fans and friends who will continute at least Sh1,000 to get into the team’s kitty as they seek a first ever qualification to the Rugby World Cup.
“Thank you to all those who have given so far. I appeal to ten thousand Kenyans and supporters to give Sh1,000, 9$, 8 €, 7£ to get the Simbas over the line. The boys need you!!” the tactician stated.
The Simbas play their opening match against Uganda on July 2 and a win will swing them into the semi-finals of the African qualifiers.
The team has been training together for the past two months and Coach Odera last Friday named his final 28-man squad for the tournament.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 28 – African champion and record holder Ferdinand Omanyala has said he dreams of clinching gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month, but has admitted he will face a daunting task at the World Championships which will precede in Oregon, United States.
The Kenyan sprint sensation will double at the two events and says he is set to work harder on ensuring a smoother speed transition in the second half of his race as he eyes a first global title.
“For the Commonwealth Games for sure I am going for the Gold medal and I will work hard to achieve that. I know it is tougher for the Worlds because definitely the field there is very competitive but my first target is to get to the final,” Omanyala told Capital Sport.
Ferdinand Omanyala storms to victory at the Kenyan trials for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. PHOTO/timothy Olobulu
The 26-year old says he knows the home sprinters will want to prove their worth at their own backyard especially with the US trials over the weekend having flamed up with all eight finalists running sub-10 times.
Fred Kerley who won the trials clocked 9.77secs, having timed a World Lead of 9.76secs in the semis. Despite having beaten him at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi in May, he knows it will not be easy.
“The boys are running super fast times and I know things will be tough at the World Championships. But the goal is to get to the final and then anything can happen. I am someone who does well under pressure and so I will be ready for it,” he said.
Ferdinand Omanyala edges Fred Kerley to win the 100m race at the Kip Keino Classic
Omanyala adds; “The focus since last month has just been on the Worlds and Commonwealth Games and that is why we cancelled every other competition just to focus on this. I want to work hard to be ready.”
“I will be doing more of speed work and my movement off the blocks. I also want to ensure that I have a smoother transition after the halfway mark because if I can kill a few microseconds in there, I know I will be able to post a good time.”
The sprinter has a season’s best time of 9.85secs set at the Kip Keino Classic and has only lost one race in Germany in the 100m this year.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 28 – Just a few days after launching a passionate appeal for funds, the national rugby 15s team Kenya Simbas have landed a mega Sh10mn sponsorship from Teita Sisal Estate through their brand Hildana Lodges.
Hildana will be displayed on the front of the SImbas jerseys as they play their 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Marseille France, with a shot at history on their hands.
“For us as a company its an honor to partner with the Kenya Simbas and the KRU. The investment to the sport has really grown in terms of the partnership between us and the Union. We hope that what we have invested in the team will boost them as they look to qualify for the first time ever,” said Jimmy Munene, a representative of Hildana Lodges who presented the sponsorship to the Union on Tuesday.
According to Kenya Rugby Union boss Oduor Gangla, the team had a budget of Sh22mn for the qualifiers to be staged in France and the Sh10mn from Hildana will go a long way in offsetting some of their expenses.
“I am very grateful to Teita Sisal Estate and the Hildana Lodge for this sponsorship. It has been a very difficult journey. We have so far spent close to SH50mn to get ready. I thank Teita for coming through for this final leg. Without them we would have been in a very difficult spot. This money goes to real expenses that the team needs,” Gangla said.
He has also called on well wishers to continue raising funds for the team through the M-Changa and Till Numbers given to enable them perfectly compete without financial hitches.
L-R: Kenya Rugby Officials Joshua Aroni, John Kilonzo, chairman Oduor Gangal and Kenya SImbas head coach Paul Odera (right) receive the sponsorship dummy cheque from Hildana representative Jimmy Munene. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
“We are very transparent with everything we do and that is one thing that we promised when we started this fund raiser. The funds are coming in to a dedicated KRU account and we want to urge all partners and fans to continue supporting the team,” Gangla added.
Head coach Paul Odera says he is excited with the sponsorship coming in for the SImbas and thanked Hildana for their support just as they did in 2019, supporting the Chipu as they headed to Brazil for the World Junior Trophy.
“It is truly humbling when people make a commitment to support their team on this journey. The relationship with Hildana started in 2019. We formed a group called the Friends of Simbas and their commitment has been that Kenya qualifies for the World Cup. These are very committed people who are always willing to support the team,” Odera said.
The team jets out of Nairobi early Wednesday morning on a 1am flight to Paris, before proceeding to Marseille where the qualifiers kick off on Saturday.
Kenya faces neighbors Uganda in the quarter finals and both coach Odera and KRU boss Gangla are confident the team has what it takes to start well and go all the way to clinch a place at the World Cup next year.
Hildana representative Jimmy Munene signs the sponsorship dummy cheque. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
“We are sending out a group of men who are going out there to carry the flag in a very difficult competition. I believe they are ready. Those young men work very hard. They are very committed and their eyes are on the prize. They are very humble and passionate. They will make Kenya proud and we will qualify,” a buoyant Gangla said.
Head coach Odera added; “Our aim is to qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever. It will not be easy, but we are confident and very clear that if we play according to how we have prepared, this team has the ability to contest with the best teams from the African continent.”
The team has been together in camp for the last 16 weeks, 11 of those being in South Africa where they played in the prestigious Currie Cup before playing two more matches at home and rounding off with one week of residential training.
Kenya is seeking a first ever qualification to the Rugby World Cup and the team travels in confidence that they are better prepared than yester years to clinch the coveted spot.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 28 – Maxine Wahome’s feat as the first woman in over 28 years to win a class at a World Rally Championship event attracted hige praise from all around the world and perhaps the biggest was Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton posting the 27-year old Kenyan girl on his Instagram Stories.
Hamilton, 37, a seven time World Champion in Formula One, posted a photo of Maxine, her navigator Murage Waigwa and President Uhuru Kenyatta on the podium at the end of the WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha.
On top was a tweet from Autosport detailing Wahome’s WRC3 win in Naivasha. With it, Hamilton added a double high-five on his Instagram stories.
Wahome produced five error-free stages on the final day of the Safari to head the all-Ford Fiesta Rally3 field by 25min 27sec over second-placed Jeremy Wahome.
The last woman to win a major WRC class was Isolde Holdereid in the Group N Cup in 1994.
Wahome, who was the only female driver in the top classes at the Rally received massive praise across social media.
She posted on her Twitter; “I’m honoured to make history and been the First Lady to win the WRC 3 category in the safari rally!! Thank you Mr. President @ukenyatta for acknowledging me and my talent, @motor_atrep for getting the car ready, @msportpoland for coming down to Kenya to help with preparations.”
Hamilton has been a huge fighter of equality in motorsports in terms of gender, race and sexuality and has been vocal about his stances.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 29 – The husband of slain Kenyan distance runner Agnes Tirop is seeking a plea bargain after initially denying a charge of murder, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Tirop, a rising star in the world of athletics, was killed last October in her home in Iten, a high-altitude training hub in western Kenya for top runners.
Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich was arrested after a dramatic late-night chase the day after Tirop’s body was found with stab wounds, and has been in custody ever since.
The 41-year-old denied a charge of murder at a November court appearance.
But in the latest twist in the legal saga, his lawyer Ngigi Mbugua told the Eldoret High Court that Rotich was willing to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of attracting a more lenient sentence.
The prosecution said it was not against the idea of a plea bargain but wanted Tirop’s family to be involved in the process.
A hearing on Rotich’s request will take place on September 22.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 30 – Growing up as a kid in his native Navatuvula Village, Naitasiri in Fiji, Jone Kubu would have never imagined himself draping in the jersey of a different national team as an adult from a rugby-mad country.
But years down the line, the flyhalf has already made his debut for Kenya and is preparing for a shot at history, helping the country of his residence to its first ever Rugby World Cup.
“I never imagined myself being here and playing for Kenya. It is sheer hard work and dedication to the game that has brought me this far,” Kubu tells Capital Sports.
He adds; “Ever since I was in Primary School I have been a Kenya Sevens fan and every time they step on the pitch, I was always there behind them backing them up. I had never imagined I could play for Kenya in the near future.”
Kubur arrived in Kenya in 2015 as part of the Samurai team for the annual Safari Sevens and was part of a group of Fijian players signed by Kenya Cup side Kabras Sugar.
While his mates stayed for a year and left, Kubu had found a new love in Kenya and felt right at home. Six years down the line, he was handed his first ever call up to the Kenya Simbas team by coach Paul Odera, courtesy of a change in rules of eligibility by World Rugby.
Jone Kubu in action for Kabras Sugar during a past Kenya Cup match. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
According to Article 8:1 of the World Rugby Rules;
“A Player may only play for the senior fifteen-aside National Representative Team, the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team and the senior National Representative Sevens Team of the Union of the country in which:
(a) he was born; or
(b) one parent or grandparent was born; or
(c) he has completed thirty six consecutive months of Residence immediately preceding the time of playing”
Having stayed in Kenya since 2015 and never played for the Fijian national teams, Kubu ticked rule number (c) and was eligible to turn out for the Simbas.
Kenya Simbas Jone Kubu makes a pass during a training session. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
He played for the 15s side and also received some few call ups with the sevens, but it was in the longer version of the game that he found a home and coach Odera was more than glad to welcome him and make him an integral part of his game.
“He is a very intelligent, hard working yet humble player. He is a player who even before receiving the ball has already read three or four scenarios in which he can play out and he offers us a lot of threat in attack,” noted coach Odera.
“I had been around for a while and I was already qualified to play for Kenya and when the opportunity came up I decided why not, and I grabbed the chance,” Kubu explains.
The Fijian has turned out to be an integral part of coach Odera’s side and his prowess on the kicks has brought in a whole new dimension to the Simbas side.
Kenyan to the core: Jone Kubu during a training session with the Kenya Simbas. PHOTO/timothy Olobulu
Kubu has enjoyed being with the Kenyan lads since making his debut last July at the start of the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
“It has been a really good experience blending in with the guys in Nairobi and I have really enjoyed my time with the team. It has been a memorable year,” he notes.
And now. Kubu is part of a team that is currently in Marseille, France, seeking to make history by qualifying to the Rugby World Cup for the first time in history.
“This is massive for me. I have been talking to some of the guys and I just realized that this is the first time ever I am playing in the World Cup qualifiers. Coming exactly one year after my debut is a massive achievement for myself,” the soft spoken and ridiculously humble Kubu says.
Jone Kubu shares a joke during a Kenya Simbas training session. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
And now, he wants to give in his all and push Kenya to history.
“As at now, I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I just want to go there and perform as usual and give my best and see how the results go,” he said.
Kubu Adds; “Playing in the World Cup is something that most boys growing up in the sport wanted to be and to play in the World Cup is something that no one else can ever take away from me. Those kinds of memories are going to be with me for the rest of my life.”
The Simbas start their 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification campaign on Saturday evening when they take on neighbors Uganda in the quarter finals.
Kenya Simbas Jone Kubu prepares for a kick during a training session. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 30 – FIBA have adjusted the tip off times for the second leg of the first round qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup in Egypt to accommodate the expected late arrival of Kenya’s team, the Morans.
Morans have just managed to get funding for their trip to Egypt after being bailed out by FIBA and are scheduled to depart the country Thursday night for the competition.
As thus, their first game against DR Congo which had been scheduled for 6pm has now been moved to 10:30pm (11:30pm EAT) on Friday, with the opening match between hosts Egypt and Senegal set to tip off at 8pm (9pm EAT).
The Kenya Basketball federation had written to FIBA informing them they would be unable to travel for the second leg of qualifiers due to lack of funds, after the government through the Ministry of Sports informed them they did not have money to fund their budget.
But, FIBA have now managed to secure them air tickets, though they are expected to repay at a later date.
Kenya Morans’ Preston Bungei in action against Egypt. PHOTO/FIBA
“It has been a day of uncertainty on whether we are travelling or not. We have just been on standby the whole day but we now have a ray of hope and it is a delight. We will go there and give our best despite everything,” team captain Griffin Ligare told Capital Sport.
The team will travel with a lean squad of 10, which includes star shooting guard Tyler Okari who had initially said he was stepping away from the national team.
Okari missed the first round of qualifiers in Senegal where Kenya lost all its matches against DR Congo, Egypt and Senegal.
Also named in the team is Tom ‘Bush’ Wamukoto and Spain based Ronnie Gundo.
Thunder’s Sadat Gaya will take over coaching duties with head coach Cliff Owuor not part of the travelling team.
The Morans must win at least one match and reduce the deficit of a loss if any, for their hopes to move to the second qualification round. The top three teams in the group advance to the next round.
Judging by the first leg results in Senegal, Kenya will fancy their chances against the Congolese with the bouts against Egypt and Senegal set to be tough, having conceded a century against both in the first leg.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 30 – Mary Moraa continued with her impressive form this season after blazing down the field to storm to victory in the 800m at the Stockholm Diamond League on Thursday night.
Moraa, fresh from dotting Personal bests in the 400m and 800m at the Athletics Kenya Trials for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games last weekend did not slow down as she commanded victory in Sweden.
She crossed the line in 1min, 57.68secs, very close to her Personal Best time of 1min, 57.45secs, edging out Olympic silver medalist Keeley Hodkinson who finished second in 1min, 58.18secs.
From the gun, Moraa bolted upfront to ensure she secured herself space in the innerlane and perched herself second on the shadow of pacer Sarah Billings.
Once the Australian rolled off after her pacing duties were over after 400m, Moraa stepped her foot down and began to steam away, accelerating the pace with Keeley fighting to keep up with the pace.
At the home stretch, Moraa threw down her devastating finishing kick, creating a gap between herself and the chasing pack to storm to victory.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 2 – Collins Injera is one of the most decorated players in World Rugby; He has not only won locally with his club Mwamba, but has played at numerous Sevens World Cups, played at two Olympic Games and on top of all was once the overall top try scorer in Sevens Series history.
And now, Papa Locole as his peers refer to him, wants to complete what would be a perfect career, by playing a role for the Kenya Simbas in their quest to qualify for the 15s Rugby World Cup for the first time ever.
“Fifteens is where I started my game and as a matter of fact, that is where I got my first ever national team call up before Sevens got the better of me. So this is pretty special, having the chance to qualify for the 15s Rugby World Cup,” Injera told Capital Sport.
He added; “Having played Sevens for most of my career this is where I wanted to play in the final years of my career and being handed this opportunity is pretty massive.”
He also notes; “For the young guys coming up I think it can be a motivation that perseverance and hard work pays.”
Prior to being included in coach Paul Odera’s disciplined set up for the new crop of the Simbas, Injera’s last involvement with the 15s side was in 2018 during the repechage tournament.
He was also part of the 2014 team that came inches close to achieving this World Cup dream, but a last day loss to Zimbabwe killed the dream.
The memories of what transpired in 2014 are still fresh in his memories and he does not want a repeat of the same mistakes to drop the pot at the doorstep.
Collins Injera attempts to make a pass during a training session with the Kenya Simbas. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
“One lesson we picked from that time is never count your chicks before they hatch. We have to take a game at a time. We had put all our focus on the game against Namibia and after that everyone relaxed. It was a scenario that none of us had faced. We had created a big chance for ourselves but we didn’t handle it well. We have five guys from that team here and we have spoken about it; we can’t run away from it,” Injera says.
The team has had better preparations this time round, including an 11-week training camp in South Africa that Injera says has improved the team massively and they are now eager to put what they have worked for into practice when they start off the qualifiers in France.
Injera says; “If you look at the team now, it is different from when we left. The guys got more exposure and now they are also looking bigger and fitter and the rugby brain has also improved. Those preps in South Africa and if you also look at the two games we played here, it tells you the guys are psyched, eager to go and the confidence is high as well.”
Collins Injera gestures during a training session with the Kenya Simbas. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
“We just need to handle our emotions well and remain cool heads then we will be able to execute.”
The Simbas begin their quest for a place in the Rugby World Cup with a quarter final bout against neighbors Uganda on Saturday evening, a match that everyone expects to be tricky.
Injera also affirms that it will not be an easy outing but believes the boys will handle it well.
“Everyone is eager for that first match. Definitely abit of pressure but we have managed it well with the mental sessions that we have had in training. Against Uganda it will be tough especially because it is a derby game. We have to go there and stick to our structures and just play,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the World Rugby legend says Kenya qualifying for the Rugby World Cup will be a huge achievement and will open more doors for the growth of the longer version of the game in the country.
Collins Injera during a training session with the Kenya Simbas. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
“It is pretty massive because the 15s game in Kenya is not as huge as the Sevens but having an opportunity to qualify will be important for us. Once we do the job it will open more opportunities for the young boys coming up and also for the game in Kenya to grow,” Injera noted.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 2 – Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera says the team is calm, easy and collected ahead of their 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification quarter final match against Uganda in France on Saturday evening.
The tactician, a tough disciplinarian and a dedicated tactician, says the focus in the boys remind him of the great Real Madrid European conquering teams as well as the all blacks and England squads who have won massive titles before.
“The team is looking good. Very focused. They are quite calm and they remind me of when you watch the very good teams of Real Madrid, or the All Black teams that are performing at their best or even the England squad that won the World Cup in 2003 or the South African team that won the last World Cup,” Odera told Capital Sports.
“That’s the sense I get when I see them. They are focused and ready for the challenge.”
The Simbas left the country last week for France and have settled in well over the last few days, sharpening their claws ready for the first battle against the Ugandans in the quarter finals.
Coach Odera says the expect a tough duel against the neighbors, but is quick to add they have done their home work right and will be in for a good performance when they step on the pitch.
“Uganda has become a better side, yes. How do we approach them? There is always a fine balance and we can’t focus too much on Uganda and take our eyes off ourselves. We have looked at what we do well, we have looked at what Uganda do well and also don’t do well and we have come up with a plan. With every coach, there is always the hope that the players can execute the plan on the day and we are quite confident in what we have done,” said the coach.
Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera in consultation during a training session. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
The Simbas travel to France with a confidence boost on their backs, having played against two Currie Cup sides in Nairobi, beating both the EP Elephants and the Leopards.
Coach Odera believes the two games are a representation of just how much the team has improved especially after an 11-week training camp in South Africa.
The players have come back looking bigger and fitter, and Odera adds that they are even more hungry for success.
“They are fitter, especially the tight five. It has always been a concern how our props and second row hold up in terms of fitness. That is something that is a plus now. They are bigger, they have added like four or five killos of muscle and are more powerful and strong,” he noted.
Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera chats with the players during a training session. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
He adds; “The biggest plus has also been their tactical awareness and how to play, which has really improved. Sometimes we were too naïve when whe play strong opponents and even when we play those not stronger than us and we are not able to fire away in all fronts. We have made progress in the last 16 weeks.”
“If we apply what we have practiced we should be able to put Uganda under a lot of pressure.”
He also says that there is some level of pressure in the side, but notes they have transformed it positively and will use it to spur their ambition inside the pitch.
Meanwhile, the tactician says he is proud that a huge number of players in the team have come through the junior ranks especially during his time that he was the national Under-20 team coach.
“It shows that if we put belief in a coach and allow him to build up a structure, then it can always lead to success,” said the tactician.
Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera during a training session. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Ten of the players who have travelled to France are Under-23, most of who won the Barthes Cup with him in 2019.
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 3 – National Super League leaders APS Bomet increased their chances of promotion to the FKF Premier League with a hard fought 1-0 win over 5th placed Shabana at their Bomet Stadium backyard.
The uniformed men from Bomet had to endure the difficulty of playing with a man less after a red card in the 63rd minute. They scored the winner eight minutes later through Erick Sinje.
APS Bomet midfielder George Wanga while speaking to Capital Sports said that the job is not done yet and the good winning form is as a result of good teamwork and the focus is on the next fixtures in Mombasa where they will camp for a week as they prepare to take on the two coastal based clubs Coastal Heroes and SS Assad.
“We faced a good Shabana side and we are happy to get the win despite going a man down in the second half. We are fully focused on winning our next matches in Mombasa to increase our chances of promotion,” Wanga said.
Meanwhile, former Premier League side Muhoroni Youth were dealt a blow in their hunt for a return to the top flight after they were humbled by relegation threatened Mwatate United at Wundanyi stadium, losing 3-1.
Muhoroni are 10 points adrift leaders APS Bomet and have played one match more.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 3 – Homeboyz RFC beat Menengai Oilers 19-14 in a pulsating final at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground on Sunday evening to clinch the Dala 7s title, becoming the fourth different winner in the National Sevens circuit.
The Deejayz banked 22 points from their win as they look to make a second half turnaround and reclaim the overall title.
In the final against Oilers who have been equally impressive this season, Homeboyz were in no mood to drop their bid for a Main Cup title and they started faster off the blocks.
Amon Wamalwa gave the deejays the lead, scoring after a silky run with Mike Nyakundi converting for a 7-0 lead. Oilers responded through Amos Onyinkwa with Mark Kwemoi converting for a 7-7 score before Leonard Mugaisi scored to give Homeboyz a 12-7 lead at the break.
Collins Shikoli then landed a third try for Homeboyz, the conversion slicing the posts for a 19-7 lead. Beldad Ogeta dotted down for Oilers at the tail end of the game, but Homeboyz had done just but enough to secure the win.
To get to the final, Homeboyz had beaten Driftwood 7s winners Mwamba RFC in the semi-finals while Oilers had seen off Kabeberi champions and overall log leaders KCB 14-12.
The bankers beat mwamba 10-7 to clinch third place and remain top of the overall standings while second placed Strathmore Leos beat Nondies 17-12 in the fifth place final.
Kabras Sugar won the Challenge Trophy with a 14-10 win over Nakuru RFC.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 3 – Kenya Prisons men’s volleyball head coach David Lung’aho has attributed his team’s struggles with serving to the poor facilities at the volleyball court at Nyayo National Stadium.
Lung’aho said the inaccurate measurements of the court prevent players from serving well and thus, hamper the team’s overall play.
“The problem with Nyayo is that we do not have enough space. Our players are struggling. In fact all teams are struggling. We only have three metres as opposed to the fact that it is supposed to be around 6.5 metres. So that’s why you see many players struggling with service,” Lung’aho said.
The former Malkia Strikers coach was speaking in the aftermath of a 3-0 clobbering by General Service Unit (GSU) in a crunch fixture on Sunday at Nyayo.
The wardens had no answer to the Kenya Volleyball Federation league defending champions’ marauding attacks in sets of 25-22, 25-18 and 25-16.
Lung’aho admitted his charges wilted under pressure albeit they have made it to the play-offs.
“That (pressure) is something we are going to work on for the next two weeks. I know they can handle the pressure in the play-offs; that is something we have done before. From now on we want to be aggressive and focused as we head to the play-offs,” Lung’aho, who has coached seven clubs to date, said.
His opposite on the dugout, Gideon Tarus, was understandably an elated man after his charges continued their winning streak from Saturday’s 3-0 walloping of Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
GSU Head coach Gideon Tarus. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
He credited the win to weeks of intensive training to improve on their weak elements.
“I was always confident we would win…I just never thought it would be in straight sets. Last time we struggled with our reception but today I have seen a tremendous improvement,” the national men’s volleyball team coach said.
Tarus has now set his sights on clinching the paramilitary side’s fifth national crown.
“Of course, that is now the target. We still have some few areas of our game to work on and hopefully by the time of the play-offs, we will have rectified them,” he said.
In other matches of the day, newcomers Trailblazers’ bludgeoned Rift Valley Prisons 3-1 courtesy of set scores of 21-25, 25-23, 25-17 and 25-22.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) barely broke a sweat when they were awarded a walkover against Central Prisons who were a no-show.
The dockers will also be featuring in the play-offs as a result.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 4 – Kericho-born Winnie Chepngetich could barely hide her joy after she was selected to join Team Kenya to next month’s World Athletics Under 20 Championship in Cali, Colombia.
The junior athlete marked 6.20m at the national trials to meet the qualifying mark for long jump and secure a ticket to the biennial championship, set for August 2-6.
Chepngetich described the win as a fresh start after previous struggles in her career, which dented her confidence.
“I am so happy to have won even though I had not expected it. I was close to giving up on my career as a long jumper and was thinking of shifting focus to triple jump. However, those around me kept encouraging me to keep trying. This win has given me renewed hope that I can go far,” Chepngetich said.
She further explained her struggles on the field, which even prompted her to focus on sprints.
“I used to specialize in the sprints, specifically, the 200m and 400m. However, my coach kept insisting that long jump is my calling and taught me how to improve my technique. Even before the trials, we had sat together and came up with a strategy,” Chepngetich, who admires another Kenyan long jumper, Gloria Mulei, said.
-Sole representative-
As the sole field event athlete in the team of 29 to Cali, Chepngetich has made history as the first to qualify to represent the country in long jump at the Under 20 level.
She was part of a group of sprinters who attended a month-long training camp in Miramas, France in April.
Chepngetich credited the camp for the vast improvement witnessed in her game.
“It really helped me and instilled a lot of confidence in me. Training under such modern conditions was an eye-opener and taught me new skills to incorporate in my game. I would not have been able to qualify for Cali had it not been for the camp. While there, I set a personal best of 5.72m and my coach told me that I could do better than that,” she said.
Chepngetich now plans to finesse her technique in addition to rectifying her weak areas.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 4 – After she was named in the Kenyan team to the World Under 20 Championship, junior athlete Nelly Jepchirchir says her ultimate objective is to become the new Janeth Jepkosgei – famously known as Eldoret Express.
The Kapsabet native has been training under the 2008 Beijing Olympics 800m silver medalist since 2015 and wants to follow in Jepkosgei footsteps by winning as many medals as possible at the international level.
“Yes, she is my coach and my mentor. We have been working together since 2015 when I was in class seven and have grown immensely since then. She is someone I look up to and would want to achieve the great things she has achieved in her career. The good thing is that she is always advising me on how to grow in my career,” Jepchirchir said.
She was in exuberant form over the weekend when she clocked 2:02.66 to clinch the women’s 800m during the national trials for the World Under 20 Championship at Nyayo National Stadium.
The 2017 World Under 18 800m silver medalist described the win as redemption for last year when she fell short of making the team for the World Under 20 Championship in Nairobi, finishing third at the trials at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
“This has been a long time coming…I have been preparing since 2020 when I came for last year’s national trials and just fell short. It is because I had been juggling between school and athletics and it kind of affected the latter. This time, I came prepared and am so elated that my hard work in training finally paid off,” she said.
Jepchirchir has now promised to fight tooth and nail in Cali, Colombia in August to return home with gold.
“This is my promise to all Kenyans as well as to my coach, madam Janeth. I think it will be the third time representing Kenya in an international event and I want to make it count. I want to do all to ensure I win gold for the country, and this means working hard in training. I still need to improve on my kick though,” the lanky lass said.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 4 – World Under 20 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich says a gold medal at next month’s World Under 20 Championship is the bare minimum for her.
Having come third at the last edition of the biennial competition in Nairobi last year, Cherotich said the next logical step is to clinch the World Under 20 title in Cali, Colombia.
“After finishing third last year, my coach as well as my management told me to go for gold and nothing else. This is what I am working hard for, and I believe I have the tools to achieve it. Most of those with whom I competed are not around this time, so things are looking up,” the Kericho resident said.
In her quest for glory, the junior athlete is looking up to world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech for inspiration.
“She is someone I have admired from the time I fell in love with steeplechase. I believe in myself; if I keep working hard, I can break the world record just like her. Everyday, before going to school, I wake up early in the morning to go for training. I am praying to God that all the work will pay richly,” the Form Three student at Kalyet Secondary School in Kericho county said.
At the national trials for the championship, it was business as usual for Cherotich as she stormed to victory in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, timing 9:18.25.
Diana Chepkemoi timed 9:45.47 in second as Pamela Kosgei came third in 9:54.20.
Cherotich said she was unsurprised by the win as she had prepared well to measure up to the pre-race favourite tag.
“It wasn’t as hard as I had expected, although I was confident I would win. This is not to mean that I have no weaknesses. As we head to Colombia, I want to work on my speed as well as the finishing kick,” she said.
Cherotich and Chepkemoi will be flying the national flag in the water-and-hurdles race in Colombia as they seek to secure the title won last by Jackline Chepkoech at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
