MERU, April 5- Kisumu based Jaspreet Singh Chatthe navigated by Gugu Panesar in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution entered his name in the annals of Kenyan motorsports history with victory in the 63rd edition of the KCB Safari Rally which culminated at Meru County Sunday.

It was his third career win after clinching the Africa Rally Championship round of Tanzania and Nanyuki Rally last year.

Chatthe, 35, who is being serviced by the MML Sport from the UK achieved victory in the heat of a fierce battle with veteran and 1994 winner, Ian Duncan in the last two stages around Kibirichia and Meru Forest.

His memorable triumph was fuelled in large part by the retirement of red hot Finn, Tapio Laukkanen who led the Safari for two days following a glaring error that saw him and his co-driver fail to arrive at Loldaiga remote service in time.

Chatthe is the fourth Sikh to win the event once famed as the toughest rally in the world after the legendary Joginder Singh, Sarbi Rai and Baldev Chager who won two back to back Safaris in 2013 and 2014.

Duncan who was in his maiden outing with a Liquid Telecom EVOX lost the Safari by a mere 13 seconds denying him the chance to relive the magic he experienced in 1994 in the famous works Toyota Celica GT4 dubbed Flying Sausage when it was part of the World Rally Championship.

“I gave my all in the last two stages but still found Chatthe going quite quick,” said Duncan.

Four-time winner, Carl “Flash” Tundo in a Proton Neo Satria S2000 was third ahead of the defending champion Chager with Manvir Baryan bringing home the newest model on the Kenya circuit, Ford Fiesta R5 to round the top five.

-Throwback to past-

The three day event was characterised by muddy conditions which rekindled the olden days when Easter Holidays drew together world beaters of the man and machine game.

The most challenging aspect for crews this time were long transport road sections which prompted organisers to introduce remote service zones.

After last service at Meru Teachers Training Institute, Duncan was 24 second on Chatthe’s tail.

But Chatthe attacked the Meru Forest stage then backed-off quite a bit on Kibirichia.

The last loop of the rally was reduced to a 30km two stage run following the cancelation of Kisima stage after some cars got stuck in the mud.

Asked what it really took to win the Safari, Chatthe quipped: “We had a clean run all through and tried to remain cautious when conditions proved quite tough.”

Chatthe’s navigator who is also a Kisumu resident was all smiles: “We have had a good drive together. We would like to thank MML Sport from UK for offering us good technical support and of course our local mechanic Mike Mwangi.

“The last two stage were good but again it was really tight with Ian. Kabirichia we took it kind of easy but attacked Meru Forest and we are happy to bring the car back in one piece,” said Gugu.

PROVISIONAL FINAL RESULTS

1.Jaspreet Chatthe/Gurdeep Panesar /Mitsubishi Evolution 10) 3:22.32

2. Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch /Mitsubishi Evolution 10) 3:23.25
3. Carl Tundo/ Tim Jessop / Proton Neo Satria s2000) 3:24.28
4. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni /Mitsubishi Evolution 10) 3:24.54
5. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Ford Fiesta R5) 3:27.34
6. Rajbir Rai/Dale Furniss (Ford Fiesta) 3:32.05
7. Jas Mangat/Cedric Buzabo /Mitsubishi Evolution) 3:43.41
8. Amaanraj Rai/Gregory Stead (EVOX) 3:44.03
9. Onkar Rai/Gareth Dawe / Mitsubishi Evolution 10) 3:46.17
10. AlastairCavenagh/Gavin Laurence /Porsche 911) 3:46.25

11- Azar Anwar/ Julius Ngige /Mitsubishi Evolution 8) 3:49.39

12. Asad Khan/ Mwangi Kioni /Subaru Impreza N10) 3:50.16
13. Dennis Mwenda /Job Njiru /Mitsubishi Evolution 9) 3:52.01
14. Mahesh Halai/ Ketan Halai /Subaru Impreza) 3:53.50
15. Frank Tundo/Mike Borissow /Mitsubishi Evolution 9) 3:57.57
16. Murage waigwa/Tuta Mionki (Subaru GC8) 3:58.32
17. James Kirimi/Evans Mwenda (GC8) 3:59.10
18. Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan /Mitsubishi Evolution 10) 4:01.33
19. Stephano Rocca/TBA /Datsun 280Z) 4:01.59
20. Taiti Wachira/Mutuma Marimba /Mitsubishi Evolution 6) 4:08.45
21. Eric Bengi/Tony Gikuhi /Toyota Runx) 4:10.43

NAIROBI, April 5 – The odds were stuck against them. The trip to Dolisie, Congo Brazzaville was fraught by a desperate fund raising exercise and on Sunday their exit from CAF Champions League was confirmed when AC Leopards beat Gor Mahia 1-0 to put them out of misery.

In truth, the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions will not rue another early exit from the high table of continental football as the country continues to lag behind as far as proper investment to compete effectively at that level is concerned.

K’Ogalo will not be embarrassed by a 2-0 aggregate exit if the build-up to the return leg in Congo is anything to go by having ceded a 1-0 advantage to their hosts in the home fixture a fortnight ago.

They needed a two-goal victory or to force the tie to penalties by a lone goal win for any chance of progression to the second round for the first time in three decades- that’s how far the most storied club in the land has fallen out of the continental radar.

Lightening struck twice for K’Ogalo when Cesair Gandze, the man who inflicted the damage at Nyayo by uncorking a screamer once again popped up with the winner on 38 minutes after heading home Nzamba Mombo cross.

In the absence of influential midfielder Khalid Aucho who was serving one match suspension for accumulating two yellow cards, head coach Frank Nutull started with George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo upfront as top scorer Ali Abondo partnered with Collins Okoth in the midfield.

The better part of the first half saw both sides locked to a barren draw with Gor custodian Boniface Oluoch rescuing a long range strike while on the other end defender Dikir Glay rattled the woodwork.

Nuttall introduced Ronald Omino for Odhiambo after half time but the hosts held on to advance to the second round where they will battle it out with either Egypt’s Smouha or Nigeria’s Enyimba.

Gor who bowed out at the same stage last season will now concentrate on their KPL title defence where they are unbeaten in three rounds and have two matches in hand.

They were in danger of missing the trip altogether and incurring stiffer sanctions than the 1-0 loss as the club organised a fundraiser to honour the tie.

NAIROBI, April 7- Florence Kiplagat is praying its third time lucky in London where she has set sights on running 2:19 on April 26 in an attempt to win the coveted English capital’s World Marathon Majors race for the first time.

Having broken her own world half marathon record in defending her title at the Asics Half in Barcelona where she ran 1:05:09 in February, the 28 year-old believes she has the speed to counter her experienced compatriots in the deep London field.

Last year the mother of two daughters; Aisha Jelagat and Faith Jerono was beaten to runner-up at both London (2:20:24) and Chicago (2:25:57) by namesake and compatriot, Edna Kiplagat and Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba as she faded towards the finish.

“I have a mental or psychological problem when it comes to the full marathon. One has to run 42km, it is so tiresome. I always lose hope towards the finish but this time, I will try my best,” the two-time Berlin (2011 and 13) titleholder and Kenya Police runner who was sixth at the 2013 London race on her debut in 2:27:05 admitted.

She is part of an imposing Kenyan quintet in London in a race that could also decide the bulk of the country’s team for summer’s IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

-Past winners-

Past winners, Edna (2014), New York champion Mary Keitany (2011 and 12) and Priscah Jeptoo (2013) as well as Jemimah Sumgong; a second finisher at New York (2014) and Boston (2012) are also in the loaded line-up.

“God did miracles in London last year and I was second. This year I have told God I tasted sweet food and this time I want real food,” she added acknowledging inexperience over the ultimate distance compared to her illustrious compatriots could be the only stumbling block to her ambitions.

“I fear running the marathon since I’m still young. But I have a point to prove,” the athlete who won Commonwealth Games silver in 10,000m last year in Glasgow underscored.

Last year, she first broke the world half marathon record when she blew away Keitany’s 1:05:50 by a whooping 38 seconds in Barcelona before shedding three more seconds from her own standard in February at the same course.

The double Berlin Marathon winner has proven her versatility having collected the 2009 World Cross senior women’s 8km title in Amman, Jordan and the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Nanning, China the following year in her impressive trove of honours.

“I’m naturally talented, so I don’t need too much training for me to win in a race. Fast running is part of me that is why I don’t normally strain while running,” she claimed.

She was the female ‘escort’ in 2011 and 2013 when compatriots Patrick Makau (2:03:38) and Wilson Kipsang (2:03:24) broke the men’s world record in Berlin when she won the corresponding races.

Florence ran her 2:19:44 career best in the marathon when winning the 2011 Berlin race as she targets to run in that region to stand a chance of glory on April 26.

-By Emmanuel Sabuni

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 7 – As top five teams; South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand, England and Australia battle for automatic 2016 Olympic Games qualification, Kenya have been left to pick the scraps of saving their Core Status in the HSBC World Series.

With the 2014/15 season entering enters its penultimate legs in Europe next month pressure is on head coach Felix ‘Totti’ Ochieng to rescue Shujaa’s dignity after an underwhelming tour of the Far East.

Ochieng swore Kenya would not be relegated under his reign and was confident his charges will finish the season on a high when the tour wraps with the Glasgow and London 7s tournaments next month.

He was speaking when the crestfallen squad arrived back to Nairobi Tuesday to a low key reception where no officials from Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) or sponsors Kenya Airways were on hand to receive them at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

“The results were not favourable in Hong Kong it was so close yet too far and ended up playing in the Shield, but in Japan we started well but lost focus against South Africa and Canada. We are very disappointed with the results; our structures worked well but did not reflect in regards to the score sheet.

“We have only two tournaments to go and I understand there is a lot of pressure in regards to relegation, I assure our fans we are on task despite the challenge. We have fallen a bit but we will rise, we will always keep on fighting,” Ochieng declared as his downcast players trudged off to a waiting van with heads hung low.

- Sharp contrast-

This was in stark contrast to the fanfare and grandeur that receives them when they perform well in the tour including sumptuous meals and in some cases, limousine rides as the gloom from the pour outing where Kenya scored a paltry four points from the Far East manifested itself.

“I know Kenyan fans are very impatient but I can assure them the job will be done. I’m committed and I’d rather die than for Kenya to lose Core Status,” the head coach pledged.

Shujaa failed to reach a second Main Cup quarter-finals of the season as Ochieng registered his worst returns since taking charge in January.

He did not spare his boys criticism after they failed to maintain consistency that saw them lift the consolation Shield in Hong Kong before fading under in Tokyo where they were bundled out in the semis of the same competition by Argentina.

-Bowl final-

Kenya who are drawn in another uncompromising Pool B at Glasgow 7s in Scotland alongside series leaders South Africa, New Zealand and Samoa, must reach at least the Bowl final in at the penultimate leg to avoid relegation.

“It’s a very tough pool South Africa and New Zealand are playing for Olympic qualifiers while Samoa are trying to climb the ladder so we have teams who are also playing for their lives just like us.

“We have to respect the opposition but we don’t fear them. It’s not negotiable; we need to go out there and perform if we are to remain in the Series,” Ochieng underpinned.

Experienced fly half Lavin Asego is out for the rest of the season after the Mwamba man was operated on in Japan after sustaining an ankle injury against the Blitzbokke.

However, the coach was up beat Michael Wanjala and vice captain Collins Injera will recover in time ahead of Glasgow and London rounds.

“Losing Asego was critical because he is a key player maker in combining the backs and the forwards but we will work hard in training to see his position is filled.”

- Adema, Lugonzo vying-

In Asego’s absence, Nondescripts’ Biko Adema and Homeboyz’s Augustine Lugonzo are in the frame to fill the void.

Skipper Andrew Amonde, was downcast but looking forward to the side bouncing back to finish with a flourish.

“Our performance was below limit and it was very pathetic. We are very sorry to our fans, sponsor and Union, this is the first time we have left the country down and the players are aware of it but we are going to work hard for the remaining legs.

“We need to work more in the execution and score more tries, we are not afraid of relegation we are sure we will get back to form,” he rued.

The series heads to Glasgow on the weekend of May 9 and 10 before wrapping up in Landon a week later.

NAIROBI, April 7- Deep into Kenya Derby week, uncertainty continues to dog AFC Leopards with contrasting reports from The Den on the fate of Croat head coach, Zradvko Logarusic ahead of their first explosive clash of the season against bitter rivals and KPL champions, Gor Mahia on Sunday.

Part of the club’s management insist the firebrand former Gor coach; who is a vital ingredient in firing up the occasion at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium; insist he is still in charge, other quarters claim he has abandoned the team with further allegations he has left the country altogether.

Logarusic was missing in the team’s 1-1 draw against Thika United on Sunday with reports claiming the former Tanzania’s Simba SC tactician refused to travel with the team in Mumias until his March and April salary arrears are settled.

Club chairman Allan Kasavuli told Capital Sport Logarusic was still in the country and he only missed the Mumias encounter with personal reasons.

“Logarusic is around and he led the team through today’s (Tuesday) training so those are just fabrications. He will be available on Sunday during the derby,” the chairman stated.

His organising secretary, Timothy Lilumbi declined to comment on the coach’s fate saying, “

“Don’t ask whereabouts of Logarusic; ask me about the team because we are preparing well for the derby. We arrived yesterday from Mumias and everybody is in camp at least Satan has not visited us this time,” Lilumbi told this website in reference to the turmoil that has plagued the local giants in recent weeks.

Financial challenges that have hindered the team’s preparation with players boycotting training on severally demanding salary and bonus arrears have plagued The Den into the fourth month.

Assistant head coach, Yussuf Chippo who was in charge against Thika called on club management to urgently resolve the matter to enable players perform better on the pitch.

“The players need motivation, I’m thankful they gave us a point against Thika despite facing problems now and them. I believe we will put our house in order so that we can start getting results,” Chippo underscored.

The Croat head coach further exacerbated the situation by labelling most of his players as ‘passengers’ in remarks said to have caused acrimony in the squad and made the club the butt of social media jokes on Tuesday.

- Outstanding debts- 

Ingwe who have two wins, two draws and a single loss in five KPL matches are set to hold a fundraising in May to enable them offset outstanding debts after shirt sponsor Mumias Sugar suspended funding the club for three months due to financial constraints.

“As players we decided to play despite the situation because it’s our career and we gave it our best against Thika. We were given Sh25, 000 each by the management for the players to honour the fixture because we had declined to travel to Mumias.

“They told us our outstanding balance will be cleared next week after gate collections from the derby. We are preparing well and everyone is training,” one of the players who sought anonymity told Capital Sport.

If Logarusic will be in the dugout on Sunday, the Croatian will meet his former side, K’Ogalo for the first time since departing in 2012 after leading them to GOtv Shield and KPL runners up behind Tusker FC who defended the title.

NAIROBI, April 7 – Jose-Filipe Lima from Portugal and amateur Paul Kamau paired up to win the first Pro-Am with a score of 14-under 58 at the par-72 Karen Country Club course during the event that kicked-off the Barclays Kenya Open week on Tuesday.

Lima earned 600 Euros (Sh60, 233.27) for victory in the first pro-am sponsored by Coca-Cola that should inspire him ahead of the European Challenge Tour Opener that commences on Thursday.

The winning pair was five shots ahead of the second placed England’s Charlie Ford and amateur W.N.Ngaruiya who had a combined score of nine under.

Germany’s Sean Einhaus and George Makori and Phillip Price from Wales and Moses Karanu who had a back-nine score of 33 carded nine-under apiece to finish third and fourth on count back.

-Snow, Indiza ready-

Half of professional golfers playing in this year’s Open teed up late morning with amateurs. The field had 11 local stars in action like Greg Snow and Dismas Indiza who finished on -3 under having been the best performers for the country at last year’s Open.

“The course is not that bad. The greens are relatively slow and I hope they will be faster. Kenyans can do well in the competition. We expect a good event. I have been to South Africa courtesy of KCB and Mumias and played golf for a full month,” Indiza who was joined 13th last year stated.

“ I just took it as another practice round. I was out to feel the greens and in readiness for Thursday. Obviously I want to win the event, but my goal is to be top 5.

“It’s actually a lot of golf tournament and always great to be on the home turf and brushing shoulders with top golfers from across the globe,” Snow, Kenya’s best last year at the same course in tenth, underscored.

The format for the Pro-am changed this year where for the first time two pros played in one match with two amateurs unlike in the past where one pro played with two amateurs.

The Open which is the longest running event in the ETC becomes the first event of the 2015 tour due to the cancelation of the Madeira Islands Open which is held in Portugal.

The second other Pro-am organised by the title sponsors will be played Wednesday with the rest of the invited field taking part.

-Story Miano Muchiri/Photo European Tour.com

NAIROBI, April 8- Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor has promised to return to China and end Britain’s Mo Farah four year reign as the men 10,000m world champion in Beijing this August.

Kipsang who ran to World Cross glory in the south-eastern Chinese city of Guiyang will run the 10,000m at the 29th May Pre Fontaine Classic in Eugene Oregon.

In a webcast with American website Strive Trips, Kipsang said he is to topple the Somali-born British distance running star and double world champion from the 2011 and 2013 editions in Daegu, South Korea and Moscow, Russia.

“I’m going to train very hard and do a lot of speed work. For me, running 10,000m, I will go with a high pace throughout the event until the finish. I don’t want to go a slow pace and then at the end someone can kick [in] 52 [seconds for the last 400m].

“So, for me I’ll go with the high speed until the end. By then no one will have the strength to kick because of the high pace they have been coming through,” Kipsang, 22, said in a webcast on American website, Strive Trips.

The 2011 World Cross junior champion confirmed he will feature in the IAAF Diamond League Prefontaine Classic meeting in Eugene, Oregon on May 29 to get in shape for Beijing as he hopes to return to China and run to more glory in the summer.

Kipsang who added the World Cross to the World Half Marathon title he won in Copenhagen, Denmark last year is targeting to improve on his 27:06.35 lifetime best in 10,000m in Oregon where he won in that time in 2011.

The athlete who prefers to run hard from the front admits it will be tough to topple the 31 year-old Briton who added the 5000m/10000m double at his home Olympics in London in 2012 before winning both at the last Worlds in Moscow.

“Right now I am tested to maintain my endurance and then focus on speed for my World Championships 10,000 which I know I will fight very hard to win the gold medal.

“For me towards the latter part I really have enough speed [left over]. Towards the latter part of the race I normally feel strong. I really get in stride towards the latter part of the race. That’s why I [can] really sprint,” he explained.

“Yeah, I’m really focused to do the World Championship 10,000m. I’ll do more on the track, a lot of speed.”

-Road side talent-

During the webcast, the front running master who has finished thrice twice at the Berlin Marathons of 2013 and 14 confirmed his talent was spotted by retired three-time steeplechase Worlds silver medallist, Patrick Sang.

“My coach Patrick Sang found me in 2010 when I was still running small races and that day he took me to the camp where I got a good program and from there I started running good (well),” he added on accounts his trainer discovered his talent whilst driving past him on the roadside in his car.

Farah, 32, is scheduled to compete in the 3000m race at the IAAF Diamond League opener in Doha having run to his 7:33.1 career best and national record over the distance in Birmingham on February 21 indoors.

NAIROBI, April 8- Wilson Kwambai Chebet was pounding the streets of Boston with intent last year confident of winning the city’s classic marathon until he discovered there was another athlete up ahead, Eritrean born American; Meb Keflezighi.

Try as he might, the three-time Amsterdam Marathon winner could not catch up with the man who breast the tape in 2:08:37, the number-four in the all time list by an American as he came home in 2:08:48.

A year on, it still stings him and as the April 20 date for the next running of the oldest city marathon approaches, Kwambai has only one thing in his mind.

“I’m going to win the race; I assure you that this is my title and am going to win it. Though it is challenging, am hoping that everything will go on well. Many athletes are focusing on the race and am preparing very well,” he promised in his home in Eldoret.

The 29 year-old has even set loftier targets, weather permitting when he lines up at the hilly course, to attack the seemingly unassailable course record of 2:03:02 ran by compatriot Geoffrey Mutai in 2010 that was until last September, the unofficial fastest ever time across the ultimate 42.195km distance.

“I did not see Meb until we were all on a flat course. For me I thought he was a pacesetter but later learned that he was competing and beating him with the distance he had was too big for me,” said Chebet.

“I lost the title last year to an Eritrean turned American Meb (Keflezighi) but this year, I want to try my best in one of Majors,” Kwambai added.

Two-time World champion, Abel Kirui, Bernard Kipyego, the Amsterdam champion and Franklyn Chepkwony alongside Kwambai front the Kenyan challenge that will take on Keflezighi and Ethiopian former winner, Lesisa Desisa, in the elite field for the men’s race.

- World Majors-

Beside victory, Kwambai is also targeting the $500,000 World Marathon Majors windfall by topping the biennial elite marathon circuit having primed for 2015 by winning the Honolulu Marathon on December 15 with 2:15:35.

“I’m going to try the jackpot this season and even the most coveted and moneyed races in the world. My body is responding well and I pray that when it comes that day, I will be okay,” he assured.

Kwambai made his marathon running debut in 2010 when he started the Rotterdam race as a rabbit before continuing to the finish for second in 2:06:12.

Having returned there and won the race in 2:05:27 the next April in a lifetime best performance, before completing the Dutch double in 2011 by recording his first Amsterdam victory in 2:05:53 that October.

Kwambai notched his Boston debut in 2012, finishing fifth in 2:14:56 before retaining his Amsterdam title in 2:05:41.

A course record of 2:05:36 completed his Amsterdam hat-trick in 2013 to earn the moniker ‘Mr. Amsterdam’ among his running peers.

Family is at the core of his career for the now seasoned marathoner.

“I run for my daughter, Keira, for my spouse, Caroh, as well as family, friends, and for myself. I love to run; it is not a job. I also want to run 2:04 or faster, so I adjusted my program in 2014 and will do my best to reach my goal.

“I think that people around me knew I was a runner before I realized it. I trained, but it took some time for me to start to feel like a runner and see myself like a runner. Before that time, I was busy trading in sheep and cattle, being a small businessman,” the athlete represented by International Athletics Consultancy disclosed in another interview with jeextramile in his home.

Besides being a family man, Kwambai is an official of the Professional Athletics Association of Kenya and leads one of the largest training groups in Eldoret with over 140 that he supports.

-By Emmanuel Sabuni

CAIRO, April 8- Gabon won a three-country contest against Algeria and Ghana on Wednesday to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.

The result of a vote among 14 Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee members was announced mid-afternoon in a Cairo hotel after the three candidates made short presentations.

The Gabonese were co-hosts with neighbours Equatorial Guinea of the 2012 Cup of Nations.

They will be the second successive central African country to host the championship after Equatorial Guinea this year.

Choosing Gabon ended a 1,529-day saga over who would host the next edition of the biennial African football showpiece.

South Africa were selected as 2017 hosts four years ago, but traded tournaments with 2013 hosts Libya because of post-Moamer Kadhafi-era violence in the north African state.

As deadly Libyan inter-militia fighting intensified, the oil-rich country were forced to withdraw as 2017 hosts as well.

Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe then applied to stage the 16-nation, three-week tournament.

But CAF dropped Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe from the bidding contest, saying they did not meet the criteria to host the tournament.

Kenya (1996) and Zimbabwe (2000) had previously been selected as Cup of Nations hosts only to pull out due to lack of finance.

Egypt later withdrew, saying they did not wish to compete against fellow Arab nation Algeria.

However, security was probably also a factor as the decision came just days after 20 football supporters where killed in a Cairo stampede following clashes with police.

Before the selection of Gabon, north and west African countries staged 10 tournaments each, east Africa five, central Africa four and southern Africa three.

There were two co-hostings — Ghana and Nigeria in 2000, as late replacements for Zimbabwe, and Equatorial Guinea and Gabon three years ago.

Equatorial Guinea became 2015 hosts just two months before the Cup of Nations kicked off last January after Morocco withdrew because they feared visiting supporters could bring the deadly Ebola virus into the country.

CAF president Issa Hayatou, vice-presidents Suketu Patel and Almamy Kabele Camara, and 11 executive committee members chose the 2017 hosts.

Each of the 14 officials, including Algerian Mohamed Raouraoua and Ghanaian Kwesi Nyantakyi, had one vote and the winning nation required at least eight.

NAIROBI, April 8- Last year’s local hero, Greg Snow has been paired with Jurgen Maurer and Nathan Kimse on the 10th tee as the 2015 Barclays Kenya Open rolls off Thursday at Nairobi’s Karen Country Club.

Snow, who carded six-under for the tournament for tenth overall and the best placed Kenyan in the European Challenge Tour (ECT) annual showpiece, will launch his bid for top honours at 12:20pm (+3GMT).

Long-hitting Mumias Golf Club pro, Dismas Indiza, who followed Snow on the Kenyan rankings on five-under for 13th overall last year, will play his opening round starting 12:40pm alongside Garcia and Wil Besseling according to the draw released by organisers Wednesday.

Other Kenyan contenders include South African based Stefan Andersen who tees off at 13:20pm on the 10th tee; Nelson Mudanyi follows him at 13:30pm.

Richard Ainley tees off early at 08:50pm on the same tee box with the local boys aiming to improve on last year where only Snow and Indiza made the cut to play until the final day.

Nicholas Rokoine (7:50am), David Opati (8:00am), Boniface Simwa at midday, amateur golfer Nelson Simwa (12:20pm) and seasoned campaigner Brian Njoroge at 13:30pm will follow each other in that order.

Max Orrin, who is among the international entries to watch, tees off at 7:40am as he comes to Karen having won the penultimate ECT event last year.

Other probable challengers for the crown are Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara who tees off at 12:50pm of the first tee and 2009 tournament winner Gary Boyd also remains a serious threat as he tees off at 13:50pm on the tenth.

-By Miano Muchiri

NAIROBI, April 8 – Harambee Stars chances of qualifying for the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations appear bleak on paper after Kenya were drawn in a tough Pool E alongside 2012 winners Zambia, Congo Brazzaville and Guinea Bissau.

Kenya will compete in the continental tournament for the first time in two years after being bundled out in the pre-qualifiers for last year’s competition by minnows Lesotho.

Stars will be attempting to return to Afcon for the first time over a decade with only top finisher in the group qualifying and two best losers.

Head coach Bobby Williamson who has been handling the national Under-23 side will assemble his local based charges for the Africa Nation Championships qualifier against Ethiopia before preparing for Afcon.

The two legged fixtures will begin June.

Neighbours Uganda have once again been drawn in a relatively winnable Group D alongside 2013 finalist Burkina Faso, Botswana and Comoros while Tanzania will face 2013 winners Nigeria, five time champions Egypt and Chad.

Champions Ivory Coast will take on Sudan, Sierra Leone and hosts Gabon as Ghana battle it out with Mozambique, Rwanda and Mauritius.

DRAW

Group A: Tunisia, Togo, Liberia, Djibouti

Group B: Madagascar, DRC, Angola, CAR

Group C: Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, South Sudan

Group D: Burkina Faso, Uganda, Botswana, Comoros

Group E: Zambia, Congo, Kenya, Guinea Bissau

Group F: Cape Verde, Morocco, Libya, Sao Tome

Group G: Nigeria, Egypt, Tanzania, Chad

Group H: Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda, Mauritius

Group I: Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Gabon

Group J: Algeria, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Seychelles

Group K: Senegal, Niger, Nambia, Burundi

Group L: Guinea, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland

Group M: Cameroon, South Africa, Gambia, Mauritania

NAIROBI, April 8 – Rwandan import Meddie Kagere struck twice as champions Gor Mahia warmed-up for Sunday’s derby with an emphatic 3-1 win on Thursday at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium to deliver a strong message of intent to their archrivals.

Elsewhere, Muhoroni Youth piled pressure on rapidly fading GOtv Shield champions Sofapaka by forcing them to a 1-1 draw to leave last season’s Kenya Premier League (KPL) runners-up winless in four successive matches.

Kagere gave K’Ogalo the lead 60 seconds after kick-off from Ali Abondo’s pass before grabbing his first brace for his new side in the 40th after Michael Olunga sent him through.

Victor Majid pulled one back in the 52nd but Innocent Wafula sealed the points three minutes later.

Gor shot back to the KPL summit on 12 points same as Western Stima who have an inferior goal difference with champions having two games in hand ahead of Sunday’s clash against their archrivals who were forced to a 1-1 draw last weekend at their Mumias backyard.

K’Ogalo returned to continue their title defence after elimination from the CAF Champions League in the first round by Congo’s AC Brazaville.

Head coach Frank Nuttall was forced into a change in the defence after Liberian centre back, Dikir Glay was ruled ineligible to feature in KPL until he obtains a work permit.

The first period belonged to the hosts who took control with Kagere destroying the Bankers with their keeper Zachary Onyango denying Olunga and Ronald Omino as Gor threatened to run riot.

Majid brought KCB back in the game when he found the back of the net from a long range free-kick after Benjamin Chaka was hacked down by Omino.

The celebrations did not last long as Wafula celebrated his first goal for the champions since joining the club from Chemelil Sugar when he latched on Kagere’s rebound that rattled the woodwork.

Nuttall could then rest Omino, Olunga and Abondo for Ernest Wendo, Timothy Otieno and George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo to contain KCB’s midfield while on the other end the Bankers introduced forwards Tirus Omondi, Ronald Musana and John Macharia for Chris Onyango, Chaka and Joshua Oyoo for no chance in the result.

-Off the pace-

In Muhoroni, skipper Abbas Akinyemi sent the hosts ahead in the 25th from the spot after Abdoul Yourou handled in the box.

Collins Shivachi restored parity for Batoto Ba Mungu in the 75th from a well curved set piece at the edge of the box.

Sofapaka have won once, drawn three and lost once to leave them off the pace early on.

NAIROBI, April 9 – According to the English dictionary, the noun ‘preparation’ simply means “the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration/something done to get ready for an event or undertaking.”

Following Wednesday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) draw in Cairo, Kenya has just over two months to prepare adequately for the challenge of 2012 champions, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville who impressed earlier this year and Guinea Bissau, rank minnows in Group E when qualifiers open in June.

Due to the revised qualification format, only 13 group winners and the hosts are assured of places in the Gabon finals with two other teams relying on the lottery of being best runners-up across all  pools to complete the 16-nation tournament.

It sounds rather straight forward- win the group and you’re in- but for a country ranked 118th in the world and 34th in Africa according to Coca-Cola Fifa Rankings released Thursday, Harambee Stars have their work cut out, with only the Guineans (131/39th) below them on the football tree.

Congo (49/ninth) and Zambia (59/14th) are streets ahead in the rankings placing Kenya as third seeds in their group.

“The draw in which Kenya is grouped is not easy at all because teams like Zambia and Congo are regulars at Afcon meaning first the federation should ensure all the issues surrounding football in Kenya are sorted amicably then preparations must be intense and we’ll coordinated,” Stars captain and Southampton FC star, Victor Wanyama told SuperSport.com.

Aha, there goes ‘preparation’ again, a simple noun that has since October 28, 2011 when they came to power; proven to be Hebrew, Arabic, Hindi or ancient Cuneiform or Greek text to the gentlemen and ladies at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) headquarters at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium swimming pool.

For the risk of being branded unpatriotic, Stars chances to top a relatively winnable group will not be compromised by lack of talent, commitment or spirit among a gifted group of players under the experienced Scottish head coach Bobby Williamson.

Rather, Kenya’s bid to return to the high table of African football since 2004 in a tournament they unsuccessfully bid to stage will be stymied by FKF unless, they take literal meaning of Wanyama’s wise counsel “preparations must be intense and well co-ordinated” to heart and act accordingly.

The dispiriting elimination from 2015 Afcon by Lesotho, a nation whose population cannot fill Nairobi in the second round of qualifiers forced Kenyans once again to adopt the Ivory Coasts, Ghanas, Senegals or Bafanas to support as Equatorial Guinea (EQ) hosted the finals in January and February.

At the time, reports of unrest in the technical bench that ultimately led to the exit of Belgian Adel Amrouche, interference ‘from above’ in squad selection, perennial allowance hiccups and late assembly of the squad and arrival of foreign based players combined once again as Stars lame charge ended.

With the rest of the world playing in the Fifa international window in the past fortnight, Kenya only mustered a low key Under 23 friendly with Seychelles as neighbours Uganda for example, played against Nigeria.

- Possible solutions-

FKF and its band of supporters accuse critics of being too quick to throw stones at but not offer possible solutions to the shared goal of ensuring Stars take pride and place among Africa’s elite.

Congo Brazzaville and Cape Verde whose rise from obscurity to seasoned Afcon campaigners as the likes of record time winners Egypt and 2013 holders Nigeria missed out on EQ offer Stars hope that with a huge tilt, qualification is possible.

The reported but yet to be officially unveiled partnership between FKF and Chinese digital television providers Startimes for rights to the national team said to be worth Sh270m ($2.9m) over five years will  come at an opportune moment for the side often constrained by finances.

However, nothing will come out of it if financial prudence is not observed and money diverted to any other purpose apart from ensuring coach Williamson, who has allegedly not been paid since November, and his players are kept happy.

There is need for the technical bench that has respected former Stars captain, Musa Otieno as the assistant and former midfield stalwart Simeone Mulama in the Team Manager role to call up locally based players to camp for intense preparations as early as Monday week to give them enough time to gel as a team.

Williamson is reported to be keen on using the bulk of the Under 23 squad and season them with a few foreign based players and on paper, it sounds exciting but for a qualifying campaign where there’s little room for error and experiment, a rapid transaction from experienced players to emerging talent could be counterproductive.

Instead, integrating youngsters as the qualifiers progress and weaning out seasoned players gradually should be a balanced way of twitching the side without causing collateral damage.

According to skipper Wanyama, it is important for FKF and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) who are coming off a bruising battle over control of the top flight to unite for Stars and just like Lesotho did before they stunned Kenya, re-organise their league fixtures to give the national team priority.

It worked before in 2008 when KPL ‘lent’ then Mathare United head coach, Francis Kimanzi and bankrolled the team for the twin 2010 World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers although, Kenya failed at the final hurdle when German Antoine Hey took over during the last round of qualifiers after ugly politics once again reared their heads.

- International build-up-

Kenyans recall the last time Stars went to Afcon under Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, the team spend a month in foreign training at Bolton Wanderers FC, then of the English Premiership and Qatar, gaining invaluable experience and more so belief to compete at high level when they narrowly lost 4-3 to a side that had the likes of current West Ham captain, Kevin Nolan, Nigerian legend Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, France World Cup winner, Youri Djorkaeff and feared Brazilian and FC Porto striker Mario Jardel.

The Trotters were then in their third season at the English top flight under reputed boss Sam Allardyce now at West Ham and training with such players gave a team led by Otieno and record scorer Dennis Oliech at his prime the motivation to make Tunisia 2004 and they duly beat Cape Verde in Nairobi 1-0 to take their place, going on to thumping Burkina Faso 3-0 in their final pool match to register a first and only win at the finals.

Playing matches with KPL sides or the recently established FKF-PL side for build-up that has recently been the norm will only lead to another limp exit, especially when other countries are now breaking an arm and leg to get the best competition for their teams in friendlies.

Lastly at least, Stars’ selection should not reflect the KPL and FKF-PL divide following the same spirit of the Under-23 side.

NAIROBI, April 9- Top Kenyan professional, Richard Ainley was booted out of 2015 Barclays Kenya Open on Thursday after organisers fell foul with a post on his Facebook wall.

Ainley who was scheduled for an 8:50am (+3GMT) tee off offended organisers of the European Challenge Tour event when he posted, “I see colonization had not ended. Only Kenya’s elite and mzungus (white people) allowed to park at the Kenya open Karen country Club. Us few PLAYERS that have cars have to make a good long trek yet it does not matter if your late.”

Later in the afternoon, he confirmed his ejection by putting up on the same wall, “Shindwe! (Be defeated!) I’m taking it low out of anger. Because of my Facebook post I’ve been refused to play as my invitation has been withdrawn. To those I may have offended I’m sorry. To all you other Kenyans play well!”

Speaking to Capital Sport on phone, Ainley expressed disappointment with developments of the day.

“As I wrote, I’m sorry it had to end this way. I was ready to put up a good show. For now, I can’t say what the next few days will bring but I wish the rest of our guys all the best,” the former Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour player said.

German Sebastian Heisele took the early lead after the opening round of play, carding 6-under 66 a stroke ahead of Sweden’s Oscar Stark and Dutch golfer Daan Huizing who tied on 67.

NAIROBI, April 9 – What will be a successful season for champions Gor Mahia head coach Frank Nuttall or opposite number; AFC Leopards’ Zdravko Logarusic will be to lift the 2015 KPL title.

But nothing can satisfy their fans more than carrying bragging rights when the two old giants clash in their first meeting this season in Sunday’s ‘Mashemeji’ (In-laws) derby at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

Build up is already at fever pitch with broadcast rights holders, SuperSport transmitting the mouth-watering clash live starting with an hour long pre-match analysis before kick-off at 3pm local time (GMT+3) with an entirely local crew.

Plans and arrangement are in top gear from fans that will not only compete in numbers on the material day but also bid to outdo the other in chanting, singing and dancing for their beloved clubs.

Gor who draw the bulk of their fan base from Luo Nyanza will paint the capital city green as they converge at their usual Tom Mboya statue shrine before matching to the venue while Leopards whose bedrock support from largely the central part of Western Kenya will counter the wave with their blue and white striped kit in the country’s biggest football match.

In a sad state of affairs, the well supported local titans are once again facing financial problems that have added the spice to Sunday’s encounter billed by some wags as ‘Paybill Derby.’

Gor and Leopards have extended the begging bowl to their supporters using mobile service platforms with others establishing their own initiative to motivate players by greasing their hands to give blood for the shirt.

“Players need your support. Gor Mahia fans have initiated (a) players’ motivation kitty towards boosting morale of players ahead of Mashemeji Derby. 0716 373 503 is the M-PESA number….Please send whatever you have we will appreciate,” staunch Gor supporter, Ibrahim Jaafar Olum posted on the team’s official Facebook wall to run alongside their authorised pay bill number 350100.

Last week, Leopards rolled out their own mobile paybill number 196464 in what was a clever number play with the year they were established, 1964 with their players going for months without pay and their head coach rumored to have abandoned last week for the same reason.

-Social media banter-

Ahead of the encounter, opposing fans have taken to social media platforms to spar against each other, with each team’s shortcomings providing the ammunition for the roasts.

“Which AFC will be playing, AFC Opwora, AFC kawaida (usual) ama (or) AFC karanga (Combined)?” Samson Kidha posted on Leopards in reference to reported splits at The Den.

“Wembe ni ule ule kwa mashemeji,” Edwin Wamalwa wrote on the Leopards wall indicating they would use the same stick to thrash their rivals.

The violent past during the fierce games is never far off the surface with supporters taking to the same platform to call for peace.

“Hi pals. The Derby is coming up this weekend, and we all would love a family afternoon out with lovely football. My anti hooliganism campaign is still on and one key message we should all be sharing is saying ‘NO’ to hooliganism. Let’s share the message on the hashtag ‪#‎StopHooliganismKE. Penda Futaa, Sare Noma. (Love football, shun hooliganism) ‪#‎MK23,”Leopards attacking midfielder, Mike Khamati, wrote on Facebook.

“On Sunday 12th LET’S KEEP PEACE, PEACE, PEACE!!” another Ingwe fan Sa’adallah Junior added.

A lot is at stake for both sides and as Gor will be looking to register their fifth successive win on the bounce away to Leopards who are banking on a huge turnout to clear three-months salary and bonus arrears they owe players and technical bench from gate collections.

It will be the maiden derby for both Nuttall and Logarusic at their clubs, but it’s the latter who has the feel for it more, having managed Gor for one and half seasons where he left without losing to Leopards in three matches (winning twice and drawing once) between 2012 and 3 season.

Despite their poor form in the run up to Sunday, Ingwe enter the game with heads high having claimed bragging rights last season after thumping Gor 3-1 in the first-leg before playing to a 2-2 draw in return.

K’Ogalo who have not beaten Ingwe since May 2013 when departed Uganda forward Dan Serunkuma got the winner in a 1-0 win with Logarusic still in charge, have sunk 12 goals in their opening four games to storm to the summit in their defence with two games in hand.

“It’s going to be a special day of football for both players and fans because all of them have been looking forward for this derby. But then again, it is just another match with only three points at stake.

“I’ve been involved in derbies before and this will not be any different. True, this is my first derby here but I’m ready for it. The players are ready for it too. We will take stock of our performance against KCB then plan for the next game,” Nutall who saw his charges deliver warning after easing past KCB 3-1 on Wednesday said.

-Sluggish start-

Ingwe have had a sluggish start that leaves them four points behind their perennial rivals and will look at the derby as a potential turning point.

Logarusic is back in the team after sitting out in their 1-1 draw against Thika United last weekend and declared his charges are ready for the big game.

“Gor are enjoying great form. They seem to have had very good pre season and it is showing from the way they are playing. But derbies are interesting and it’s not about form. My job at Leopards is to ensure we win.

“I’m looking for a great outing on Sunday. It will be my fifth derby here and I can’t wait,” asserted the Croatian who was on the stands to watch Gor tear KCB apart.

K’Ogalo’s joint top scorers Meddie Kagere and Ali Abondo are likely to take centre stage supported by Michael Olunga, Khalid Aucho and the defensive duo of Abouba Sibomana and Karim Nzigiyimana.

With skipper Jerim Onyango yet to start a match this season, former Harambee Stars custodian Boniface Oluoch is expected to continue his role in between the sticks with stand in captain Musa Mohammed partnering with Harun Shakava at centre back in place of Liberian import Dikir Glay who is ineligible to play due to lack of work permit.

For Leopards, 2013 KPL Golden Boor winner, Jacob Keli who has scored two goals so far is set to return after missing their last match against Thika United where they were held 1-1 to lead Logarusic men upfront alongside Noah Wafula , Timonah Wanyonyi and Nigerian Austin Ikenna.

Inform Burundian, Emmanuel Ngama is expected to control the midfield flanked by Musa Mudde, Diallo Lamine and Bernard Mang’oli while Joseph Shikokoti, Martin Imbalambala, Edwin Wafula and Martin Kiiza will man the defence.

Regular Wycliffe Kasaya who was benched against Thika is likely to return in the starting line-up for Joel Bataro in goal.

NAIROBI, April 9- Portugal’s Jose Luis Lima carried his brilliant form from Tuesday’s first Pro-Am by shooting to the early lead with an impressive 8-under 64 with Dismas Indiza leading the local charge on 3-under as the 2015 Barclays Kenya Open got off to a roaring start at Nairobi’s par-72 Karen Country Club.

The local crowds had plenty to cheer about on the opening day, thanks to the big hitting Indiza’s effort in his 16th Open charge having finished tied for 13th overall last year in what is certainly among his last chances to win the European Challenge Tour (ECT) national showpiece.

Indiza, the Mumias Golf Club resident pro is one of the 34 home grown players to tee it up this year, a number that is greater than in any season dating back to 1999 and was tied for 15th on Day 1 with amateur Alfred Nandwa a further stroke behind on 70 the next Kenyan on the early leader board but tied for 32nd overall.

Greg Snow, the country’s highest finisher last year on joint 10th overall having challenged for the title to the last day got off to an underwhelming start by his lofty standards by carding 2-over 74 on the opening day.

Ajay Shah (71) was the only other home golfer to beat par on Thursday.

However, the day belonged to Lima who partnered with local amateur Paul Kamau to win the Coca-Cola sponsored first Pro-Am on Tuesday after he opened up a two stroke lead over German Sebastian Heisele, Spain’s Emilio Cuartero Blanco and South Africa’s Haydn Porteous who are all tied for second on 6-under 66.

The 33 year old, who has finished runner-up on the second tier Rankings on two separate occasions – in both 2009 and 2013 – carded eight birdies at Karen Country Club.

Impressive in its own right, the French-born Portuguese golfer has even more reason to be delighted with his form in Nairobi thanks to the fact he has not played a tournament round for seven months, having undergone back surgery last September.

It had initially been suggested to Lima that the issue could bring a premature end to his golfing career, but plenty of rehab and hard work on the range has clearly proved beneficial, and he was delighted to have signed for such a strong start to the week.

“It was a good one to start, and I had exactly the same score in the Pro-Am on Tuesday and won, so to have that score two times in a row on this course makes me very happy,” said the man with three Challenge Tour titles to his name.

- Seven months-

“To have not played a tournament in seven months and come back with this round is great, and I am just enjoying being back on the course. When I was in hospital I was wondering if I would play golf again, so to come back and shoot 64 is fantastic.

“I took two months off after the surgery, but since then I have been to Morocco with my coach and I am swinging much better now. I was losing some power and flexibility last season with what was wrong with my back, but now it is sorted I am feeling very happy,” he added.

Just one stroke further adrift in a tie for fifth are Dutchman Daan Huizing, Sweden’s Oscar Stark and the Swiss player Damian Ulrich, who all carded five under par rounds of 67 on day one to stay within touching distance of the leading Lima.

They are narrowly ahead of a host of top talent in a share of eighth spot, a group that includes England’s Steven Brown, Swede Jesper Billing, Cyril Bouniol of France, Portugal’s Joao Carlota, Dane Andreas Harto and Jaako Makitalo of Finland, all at four under.

-Material sourced from europeantour.com

NAIROBI, April 10- Two-time 1500m champion, Asbel Kiprop, world junior champion, Alfred Kipketer and Olympics bronze medallist Timothy Kitum will headline the 30-strong Kenyan team for the second IAAF World Relay Championships in Bahamas following the national Trials that wrapped on Friday evening in Nairobi.

World, Commonwealth and African 800m champion, Eunice Sum and her mentor and 2007 titleholder, Janeth Jepkosgei will not be returning to Bahamas in the women’s squad after being omitted by Athletics Kenya (AK) from the Trials.

The Trials held at Safaricom Stadium were more of a dress rehearsal for the world event with the selected runners staggered across the various races on the cards with Nigerian and Botswana athletes adding flair to the floodlit event.

Kiprop who is bidding for a third successive World title in Beijing this summer and anchored the Kenyan 4X1500m quartet to gold and the world record last year in Bahamas ran the second leg of 800m of the men medley relay final in the Athletics Kenya (AK) A select team that took the honours in 9:25.81 ahead of AK B (9:27.18) and Police (9:36.60).

“I’m always proud of representing the country as I prepare to hopefully defend my title in Beijing. Running in Bahamas will give me a good chance to improve on my speed work early in the season.

“After winning in Bahamas last year, I did not do as well as expected but this being a World Championship year, I will train harder so that I can be the first Kenyan to win the 1500m World title for the third time,” the lanky Kiprop, who took the baton from Nicholas Bett (400m) before Abednego Chesebe (1200m) and last year’s junior sensation, Ronald Kwemoi (1600m) anchored them to victory stated.

World junior record holder Kwemoi, 19, the Commonwealth silver and African bronze medallist in 1500m also made the men’s medley team alongside Kiprop as he promised to carry his progression into the season.

“After running Bahamas last year, I got to know how running with seniors is and this season, I’m looking forward to compete better and run faster and the World Championships remains my dream,” Kwemoi, who arrived from his base in Japan on Thursday night said after winning the last leg.

Rotich who ran in the 4X800m race at the trials for AK B who were beaten to second (7:11.4) and was part of the victorious Kenyan quartet at the event in Bahamas last year as well as Chesebe complete the country’s men medley team announced by federation vice-president, David Okeyo.

Kitum who is returning after a year out on military training was part of the AK A quartet that won the 4X800m in 7:09.1 anchored by the junior two-lap world champion Kipketer with their unheralded teammates, Jeremiah Mutai and Nicholas Kiplagat completing the Bahamas line-up in the race.

-Missing stars-

World champion, Sum and Osaka 2007 titleholder and Beijing Olympics silver medallist, Jepkosgei who were in the team that won silver behind America in the women’s 4X800m relay last year were not invited for the trials after AK decided against including athletes who did not take part in the domestic Safaricom Relay Series rounds.

“You have seen we don’t have the likes of Sum or Jepkosgei in this team because we decided to include only those who took part in our series. We shall do the same for the World Championships and we are telling every athlete and their agents that they have to take part in at least two local events to be invited for Trials.

“Kenya has a big wealth of talent and we cannot fail to find athletes to take to international competition. We cannot have people waiting to be added to the team because they are champions. We will take this largely unknown team and they will perform,” AK president and IAAF Council Member, Isaiah Kiplagat declared in what will brew controversy with many elite athletes who are often signed up for overseas circuit races.

Sammy Rono, who led the team last year to Bahamas continues in the role of head coach assisted by Stephen Mwaniki with former Olympic 1500m champion, Noah Ngeny appointed Team Manager.

-International flair-

Botswana, anchored by Africa record holder Isaac Makwala; beat the locals in the men’s 4X400m race in 3:04.87 against 3:04.88 in the most thrilling finish of the day after he beat former World Youth silver medallist, Alfas Kishoyan anchoring for AK A by the thickness of the vest on the line.

Zacharia Kamberuka, Pako Seribe and Gaone Maotoanong partnered Makwala in a race where the Kenyans Alex Sampao, Boniface Mweresa and Michael Makan led until the last change over where the record holder and Kishoyan took it to the exciting climax.

“I was using this competition to prepare for our own relay trials. The Kenyans gave us a race because they are good. We shall prepare well to give Botswana a good team,” Makwala who took time to recover from being extended at the punishing Nairobi elevation said.

He confirmed their star, Olympics silver medallist and Commonwealth Games champions in 800m, Nijel Amos, who was expected in Nairobi will not be travelling to Bahamas.

Nigeria (Omolara Omotosho, Patience Okon, Ossai Rita and Oluwatosin Adeloye) beat home girls AK A (Jacinta Shikanda, Francisca Koki, Veronica Mutua and Joyce Zakary) to the tape in 3:31.27 against 3:35.83 to stamp their supremacy in the sprints in the corresponding women 4X400m final.

KENYA SQUAD

Men: 4X200m; Pius Muia, Geoffrey Kiprotich, Michael Mokamba, Collins Omae, Mark Otieno: 4x400m; Alex Sampao, Boniface Mweresa, Michael Makan, Alfas Keshoyan, Raymond Kibet: 4x800m; Alfred Kipketer, Nicholas Kiplagat, Jeremiah Mutai, Timothy Kiptum, Bernard Kipyegon: Medley; Asbel Kiprop, Ronald Kwemoi, Ferguson Rotich, Abednego Chesebe, Pogisho

Women: 4x800m; Annet Mwanzi, Sheila Chesang, Eglay Nalianya, Sylvia Cherop, Purity Cherotich: Medley; Selah Jepleting, Sylvia Chesebe, Virginia Nyambura, Joyce Zachary, Francisca Koki.

Coaches; Sammy Rono, Stephen Mwaniki, Rose Muya, Assistant TM; Noah Ngeny Physiotherapist; Sarah Karongo, Peter Nduhiu.

-By Mutwiri Mutuota and Alex Isaboke

NAIROBI, April 9- Dismas Indiza continues to fly the country’s flag as the highest placed local hero tied for 14th on six under at the Barclays Kenya Open where the overall lead changed hands from Portugal to South Africa courtesy of Haydn Porteous remarkable round of 65 that established a two-stroke advantage at the end of Day 2 Friday.

Mumias based Indiza, 46 who carded another 69 to equal his score on Thursday; is one of only three home favourites to qualify for the final 36 holes alongside Brian Njoroge and Matthew Omondi, who both made the cut on the mark at two under par after rounds of 68 and 71 on Friday.

Among the local titans who missed the mark include last year’s hero, Greg Snow who followed up his opening day woes with another dismal 3 over 75 to end his interest alongside Riz Charania who made the cut last year but faded to a 2 over 74 having carded 2 under on Thursday.

Porteous, 20, once ranked as his nation’s top amateur, is just ahead of overnight leader José-Felipe Lima thanks to his seven under having dropped only two shots over the opening 36 holes to place him in prime position for the crown at the European Challenge Tour opener of the season.

Couple that with 13 birdies and an eagle at the par five third hole on day one, and it is easy to see why the former South African Amateur Champion is out in front, as he looks to secure a victory that would earn him full playing rights on the European Challenge Tour for the first time.

“Whenever you shoot 65 it’s a very good day out there, even though I had a bit of a shaky start after starting at the tenth, but then I drove the green at the 12th and two putted for birdie,” said the man who made it through the first two stages of The European Tour Qualifying School last year, before missing the four round cut at the Final in Spain.

“I got off to a slow start to the Sunshine Tour season this year after a few swing changes to try and become a bit more consistent, because four rounds is a lot of golf at this sort of level, and I wanted to play better over 72 holes. It wasn’t a great start this year, but these two rounds show a bit of improvement, and I’m hoping for the same over the weekend,” the leader said.

The third round will see Porteous have to deal with the same issue that faced Lima on day two, a fact known throughout the golfing fraternity, which states the difficulty experienced by so many in following up a good score with another the next day.

-Fared better-

For the second placed man from Portugal, though, he fared better than most on that front after an opening eight under par score had seen him carve out an early two stroke advantage of his own after 18 holes.

Five gains and a mere two bogeys saw Lima sign for a 69 on Friday and post 11 under par, as he continued the impressive form he has shown this week, in his first tournament since back surgery last September.

“I was not thinking about the score or how I made birdies at certain holes yesterday, and I just tried to focus on my game, make birdies and do my best.

“I am just pleased to be playing well again. I played well last year and then one week my back started hurting, so to be restarting now with no pain and being able to show what I can do, that makes me very happy,” Lima said.

Another South African, Brandon Stone, is in a tie for third on nine under par alongside Frenchman Cyril Bouniol, who finished 19th on the Challenge Tour Rankings last season, and Dutchman Daan Huizing who graduated in sixth place two years ago.

The trio carded scores of 66, 67 and 68, respectively, and are ideally placed heading into the weekend in Nairobi.

One shot further adrift is a chasing pack that includes Louis De Jager (67), also of South Africa, Finland’s Jaakko Makitalo (68), Frenchman Victor Riu (67), the Swiss player Damian Ulrich (69) and England’s George Woolgar (66), who are all tied for sixth.

In a typically cosmopolitan second tier field, a further three players share 11th at seven under, with France’s Joel Stalter (68), Borja Virto Astudillo (68) of Spain and Englishman Sam Walker (68) all within six strokes of the leading Porteous.

-Material from europetour.com

NAIROBI, April 11 – With less than 24 hours to the eagerly awaited Mashemeji Derby between archrivals champions Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture has declared both clubs ‘illegal entities’.

Wario who was speaking Saturday when attending Sports Journalists Association Kenya (SJAK) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nairobi said the two giants have not complied with the 2013 Sports Act that requires every federation and club to register with the Registrar of Sports.

“Tomorrow (Sunday) two big clubs play against each other but it’s so sad to state that the derby is illegal. Both teams command a lot of respect and followers but none of them is recognized by the government.

“Everyone should abide by the law (Sports Act) the two teams are over 50 years old but have nothing to show of not even their own history. The players have done nothing wrong but they are being let down by the management with their bad leadership,” Wario declared.

The minister also blasted Football Kenya Federation president, Sam Nyamweya and Kenyan Premier League CEO, Jack Oguda who were in attendance, saying they have dragged the game behind by taking too long to find an amicable solution in their wars that held the beautiful sport at ransom for over five months.

“Our message was very simple from the beginning, we have 16 teams then  transit slowly but my good friends here (Nyamweya and Oguda) wasted money to rush to court yet after ignoring local tribunal. Eventually Fifa told them to work with one league that was there before.

“The federation should be concentrating on developing talent because we can’t depend on one person now and yet we have young players who can even do better,” the minister added referring to Harambee Stars squad.

At least 60 sports journalists from various media houses attended the AGM where Star Newspaper motorsports guru writer Samson Ateka was elected as Executive Committee Member to fill the void left vacant after the office failed to get a lady for the affirmative.

Ateka amassed 30 votes to beat Citizen Tv’s Maureen Mwende (19) and Standard Newspaper’s Eric Ochieng (6).

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion are Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, Coca Cola Public Affairs Relations Manager Bob Okello, Athletics Kenya (AK) CEO Isaac Mwangi and AK Nyanza South chairman, Peter Angwenyi.

NAIROBI, April 11 – Ten-time champions Tusker FC dropped two more points, this time rallying from a goal down to settle for 2-2 against Muhoroni Youth in a four-goal Kenyan Premier League thriller in Muhoroni on Saturday.

In Kisumu, Kennedy Otieno was on target as Thika United edged out Western Stima 1-0 while Sylvester Wanyama scored from the spot to help visiting Sony Sugar silence Bandari by the same margin in Mombasa.

Nairobi City Stars picked their first point of the season in a 1-1 stalemate against Chemelil Sugar in Kisumu where Charles Odero broke the deadlock for the Sugar Millers from the spot before Calvin Masawa equalised for the Kawangware based side.

In Muhoroni, Tusker head coach, Francis Kimanzi picked his second successive draw to continue their slow start as they remained three points behind leaders, Gor Mahia who take on archrivals AFC Leopards in tomorrow’s Mashemeji Derby in one of their two matches in hand.

The Brewers found themselves chasing the game in the early minutes after Jockins Atudo conceded a penalty when he hacked down George Mandela in the box for skipper Abbas Akinyemi to score and give the Sugar Millers the lead.

After holding the visitors for over half an hour, defender Wellington Ochieng’ brought Tusker back in the game thanks to own goal but Jeremiah Wanjala restored the lead five minutes later from Franklyn Osama’s rebound.

Kevin Kimani pounced on the stroke of half-time to rescue a point when the 2011 Player of the Year tapped home Clifford Alwanga’s cross in what was the last goal in the clash as both sides proved a hard nut to crack in the second-half.

At Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium early kick-off, Mathare United played to a goalless draw with KCB before Ulinzi Stars also picked a point against hosts Ushuru at the same venue.

Former City Stars forward, Mark Makwata handed the Soldiers the lead in the seventh minute from captain Stephen Ocholla flick header.

Liberian import Roosevelt Blaty came off the bench to secure the point in the 67th, when he headed from close range a Charles Okwemba cross.

Ulinzi head coach Robert Matano said lack of concentration from his defenders cost them maximum points.

“They scored from poor marking on the left but we played well because Ushuru has not won in four matches so they wanted a draw but we tried as much as we could since it’s good to get a point rather than losing the match,” Matano stated after the match.

His opposite number, Ken Kenyatta said, “Ulinzi were tough, they are former champions so playing against them is not easy. We lost some chances, of which we could win if we could have converted since we were at home, but all in all I appreciate for the point, it’s a fair deal. I now plan for the next match.”

The league continues Sunday with the biggest one, the Mashemeji Derby taking center stage at Nyayo Stadium from 3pm local time (GMT+3) whist Sofapaka will be seeking to end four matches winless streak when they travel to Nakuru All Stars at Afraha Stadium.