Geofferey Kipsang Kamwor (right) shadows Kenya Defence Forces runner, Emmanuel Kipsang during the July 9 first day of the Kenya Championships in Nairobi. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 9 – World Cross titleholder, Geoffrey Kamworor warmed-up for a stab at qualifying for the Beijing Worlds by punching his men 5000m finals ticket at the National Championships that gunned off in Nairobi on Thursday.

Also starring on Day 1 at the Safaricom Stadium after dropping the distance was 2011 double distance world champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, who continued to build her speed as she countinues finding her way back to the sport after maternal break.

Kamworor, who is eyeing a slot in the longer 10000m during the July 31 and August 1 Trials for Beijing and African Championships battled punishing elevation to beat double distance Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) champion, Emmanuel Kipsang to the line in 13:19.28.

Worlds bronze medallist and Kenya Police teammate, Isaiah Koech was third in 13:35.14 in the faster second semi that saw his processor as World Cross champion, Japheth Korir fade to sixth in13:37.72.

With Africa Cross silver medallist, Cornelious Kagongo and former 5000m world junior winner, David Bett in the field, it was the deeper of the two races where only the top six were guaranteed a slot in the final.

Koech opened an early lead but Kamworor kept him on toes before taking control in the third lap.

With five rounds to go, Kipsang charged to overtake the 22-year-old but the KDF runner ran out of gas after the bell to see the superior finisher Kamworor accelerate past the 400m bend to motor to victory.

“It was competitive but I’m hoping it will even be more during the finals. Our semi-final had elite athletes which was a good thing because it enabled us know whom to watch out in the finals.

“Our aim was to make it to finals, KDF are very strong so we can’t afford to lose the nationals that we have won for many years,” Kamworor said.

KDF will only be represented by two athletes after Leonard Oloitiptip qualified from the first semil but Kipsang of Laikipia Air Base is not worried by that.

“I wanted to show them that I’m also strong. It was a good race since I will know how to approach the final. I was preserving my energy for Saturday and that’s why I slowed down towards the final lap.

“I knew if I gave them a chance to control the race, it would be difficult for me to catch up. I did well to break their partnership and so I must be very careful in the final three laps. The only person who will give me a hard time is Kamworor,” Kipsang who is eyeing selection Beijing stated.

The first semi saw Geoffrey Kimutai win the race in 13:28.07, eight seconds ahead of Prisons Emmanuel Bett while Willy Kwemoi was third after stopping the timer in 13:32.80.

Others who made the cut are defending champion, Joseph Kitur (Police), Bernard Kipkemoi, Mangata Ndiwa, Kangogo, Elijah Kipchirchir (Prisons), Korir, Tom Mutie and Alex Kibet.

The returning Cheruiyot who is bidding for a fourth World title after winning 5000m (2009) and the 5000m/10000m double in Daegu, cruised to the women’s 1500m final after easily winning the first semi-final in 4:17.92 ahead of Iveen Chepkemoi (4:19.03) and KDF’s Perin Neukampi (4:20.73).

Winfried Mbithe dominated the second semi-final after clocking 4:15.68 to beat Sellah Chepleting of KDF (4:16.27) while fellow colleague Judith Kiyeng was third (4:16.43).

The corresponding men’s race was dominated by Elisha Manangoi of Police in 3:43.67 (semi -1), while Abednego Chesebe reined the second semi in 3:47.18.

The third semi saw Alex Lagat stun Commonwealth Champion, James Magut after clocking 3:51.71, just three seconds ahead of the KDF athlete for the 1-2.

“My prayer is to make the team for the world championships. I will compete in London Diamond League before Trials which will be very competitive,” Magut declared.

Manangoi will be seeking to improve his Personal Best of 3:33.2 when he takes part in next week’s Monaco meet.

“I’m prepared now to face world beaters because last year it was difficult for me since I was still in college. I’ve done some speed work and I’m confident I will do well this time round. I’m eyeing the Africa Games and World Championships.”

Grace Thoithi of Police won the women’s 20km Race walking title in 1:42:35 to beat KDF’s Judy Cherop (1:50:35) as Ruth Wangui from Nairobi settled third (1:52:25).

The women’s long jump saw guest Lissa Labiche from Seychelles dominate over hosts after returning the best effort of 6.25m.

KDF’s Priscilla Tabunda was second with 6.08m while Prison’s Damaris Mbogo jumped 5.89m for bronze.

The three day championship continues Friday with the men’s 20km Walk final, Triple Jump (men) 200m finals and 4x400m relays.

Virginia Nyambura (left) and Ethiopia’s Hiwot Ayalew in the women 3000m steeplechase race at IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha on Friday.

NAIROBI, July 9 – Commonwealth champion, Nijel Amos, once again proved to be Olympics champion and world record holder, David Rudisha’s waterloo, when he stunned the men 800m standard bearer at an enthralling 40th Athletissima in Lausanne on Thursday night.

Rising women 3000m steeplechase sensation, Virginia Nyambura, salvaged the day for Kenya when she uncorked a meeting record 9:16.99 to outlast Ethiopia’s Hiwot Ayalew for her third victory in this season’s IAAF Diamond League during the ninth stop of the campaign.

There was no joy either for Africa record holder, the ‘You Tube Man’ Julius Yego who alongside the star-studded field, were forced to submission by Bahamas Olympics champion, Kershown Walcott, who unleashed a monster 90.16m first throw to sew up the victory.

With 10 Olympics champions from London and a bigger number of World titleholders on show, Lausanne was a mini-Beijing and it did not disappoint.

In the end, as Athletics Kenya (AK) chief executive officer, Isaac Mwangi, wrote on Facebook, “Six weeks to sharpen. Filling the percentage,” the country’s probable flag bearers for the August Beijing Worlds have all to do to match the intense challenge thrown by rivals.

Focus was undoubtedly on the men 800m where a nation gasped in disbelief as Amos who forced Rudisha to accept the second medal at last year’s Commonwealth in Scotland repeated the trick in a showdown where world champion and Ethiopian star, Mohammed Aman, was never a factor, sliding down the field to seventh.

With the 800m phenomenon still retracing his steps to the summit of two-lap running after a horror run with injuries in the past two seasons, Rudisha settled to his customary front running style and carried the lead all the way to the homestretch before Amos struck in devastating fashion.

The Botswana star deployed the afterburners with 60m to pull away from Rudisha to stop the timer in his season’s best 1:43.27 that left King David content with the silver lining yet again in 1:43.76.

Ferguson Rotich did his reputation a huge boost by joining the illustrious pair in the podium with 1:44.44 as Aman, who gave up the chase when Rudisha and Amos pulled away well inside the 600m, returned 1:48.03 to narrowly avoid an embarrassing wooden spoon.

In the second race of the programme, Nyambura, a winner in Doha and Birmingham and runner-up in Rome, atoned for missing the New York leg to extend her lead in the Diamond Race when she outlasted hard chasing Ayalew to romp home triumphant in a meet record with the beaten Ethiopian following her home in 9:17.22.

The rabbit turned world leader was matched vest to vest by Ayalew until the last water jump where she surged ahead and after the final barrier, the taller Ethiopian motored all in vain to close in but the line just came to fast for her as Nyambura muttered, “Thanks God” after doing the sign of the cross to toast the Almighty for the win.

Commonwealth champion, Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon was beaten to the honours in the erratically paced women 1500m by naturalised Swiss, Sifan Hassan, with the clocks returning 4:02.36 against 4:03.38 as the winner surged away in the last 100m for a comfortable victory.

American Jennifer Simpson (:4:03.54) overtook the fading Commonwealth 5000m titleholder, Mercy Cherono (4:04.24) to nick bronze ahead of the Kenyan who finished just outside the medals.

(L-R) Chris Froome of Great Britain and Team Sky, Geraint Thomas of Great Britain and Team Sky and Luke Rowe of Great Britain and Team Sky talk tactics prior to stage five of the 2015 Tour de France, a 189.5km stage between Arras and Amiens on July 8, 2015 in Amiens, France. PHOTO/AFP

LIVAROT, July 10- Chris Froome revealed Friday he will not be wearing the yellow jersey on the Tour de France’s seventh stage from Livarot to Fougeres.

Froome is the Tour race leader due to German Tony Martin’s abandonment after breaking his collarbone in a crash at the end of Thursday’s sixth stage.

“For those asking, I won’t be wearing yellow today! All the best to @tonymartin85 with his op & recovery,” said Froome on his official Twitter page.

Had Martin been able to continue in this year’s race he would have remained in yellow but the 30-year-old was forced out of the race due to his broken collarbone.

It means the yellow jersey passes to Froome, who had been trailing Martin by 12sec in the overall standings.

But the 30-year-old Briton decided as a mark of respect to the man who should be enjoying the honour to pass up on the opportunity.

There is precedent for such a move by Froome.

In 1980 Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk turned down the opportunity to wear yellow after race leader Bernard Hinault quit following stage 12 due to tendinitis in his knee.

American Greg Lemond did likewise in 1991 after Dane Rolf Sorensen crashed just before the finish in Valenciennes.

But the most famous such incident was when Belgian great Eddy Merckx refused the jersey after Spain’s Luis Ocana crashed in 1971.

Most recently, Alberto Contador declined to wear the jersey in 2007 after Denmark’s Michael Rasmussen was forced out of the race due to a doping scandal.

Waa High School’s Salim Chilole during the Airtel Rising Stars action on Friday, July 10. PHOTO/Courtesy

NAIROBI, July 10- Mau Region’s Simotwo and Eburu are the first teams to book their places for the Airtel Rising Stars National finals set for July 27 to August 1 in Machakos.

The pair punched their tickets after lifting the boys’ and girls’ titles in that order during their regional finals held at Hill School, Eldoret on Friday.

At the same time, reigning national boys’ titleholders Kakamega High School are on course for a return to the finals after reaching the Nzoia Region semis at the St. Mathias School in Busia.

Simotwo edged out defending area champions Kakamega Boys 1-0 in a closely contested boys’ final while Eburu returned a similar result over Kapkures to claim the girls’ crown.

In Nzoia, the side famed as The Green Commandos carried on from the 1-0 win over Vihiga to first stop Kapenguria 5-0 and before beating Mundika 4-0 to top their pool and set up a semi final clash against Misikhu.

The second semifinal pits former East Africa and national champions St. Anthony’s Kitale against Mundika.

In the Coast Kwale and St. John’s will clash in girls’ final on Saturday after registering massive semi final victories.

Free scoring St. John’s tore Ribe Girls apart in an 11-0 mauling whilst Kwale drubbed Shimba 3-0 to set up the decider.

In Aberdare Passenga’s boys’ and girls’ sides remained on course for a return to the national finals after qualifying for Saturday’s semis at the close of group play on Friday.

Passenga will play Kagumo in the first last-four clash whilst Kimongori lock horns with Olbolosat in the other boys’ semi.

Their sisters are up against Gacharagua while Nginda play Aiyam in the second semi.

Shujaa’s Billy Odhiambo in action at last season’s Glasgow Sevens. PHOTO/File

NAIROBI, July 10 – National Sevens players have thrown their 2016 Africa Olympics qualification preparation into a spin after declaring on Friday they will not report to training until their three-month salary and bonus arrears are settled.

According to long serving Team Manager, Steve Sewe, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has also failed to provide basic training facilities required to meet the high performance demands for a side that is aiming to qualify for a maiden Olympics including food supplements and a gymnasium.

Sewe was flanked by assistant coach, Vuyo Zangqa, strength and conditioning coach, Graham Bentz, skipper Andrew Amonde, Kenya’s all time try top scorer Collins Injera, his elder brother Humphrey Kayange and seasoned Patrice Agunda.

With the future of head coach, Felix Ochieng hanging in the balance, the team manager expressed his reservations with lack of continuity at the helm with four men occupying the post since Benjamin Ayimba , who led the side from 2006 to 11, left.

Sewe accused the national body for failing to secure player’s contracts leaving them with the choice of seeking alternative means of survival instead of rugby in what is a second revolt against administration by the team in recent times.

“In 2011 the KRU undertook a commitment to transform the national 7s training program into a high performance system. Key to this was the establishment of a player centred coach led system which placed welfare as the top priority.

“However, a lot of challenges have been encountered in the recent past that put the programme at risk among them, timely and consistent remuneration, equipment has not been bought in the last three years and lack of supplements,” Sewe complained.

The team that had a poor outing in the 2014-15 Rugby Sevens World Series after finishing 13th on 46 points will be seeking to qualify for next year’s Summer Games when the Africa qualifiers gets underway in November.

However, Sewe says it will be impossible to achieve the dream after missing out on automatic entry by failing to nail a top-four finish at the 2014/15 World Sevens Series where Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand and England sailed through.

“As we seek to qualify for Olympics and fight for a podium finish, a lot of the non-negotiable terms are not in place. The program is too volatile for players to concentrate on core business which has led to instability. We must build confidence as this is a culture change.

“In 2012, the development team used to participate in satellite tournaments and up to date our medical system is porous and players cannot continue putting their bodies on the line,” the team manager asserted.

Amonde, who was among few regular players who stood with the Union when the rest downed their tools in December, called on the national body to come to the team’s rescue as pre-season plans lay asunder.

“We are training in conditions that are not good enough for us to perform well. We feel it’s time everybody knows the situation we are going through. We appeal to KRU to give us support to enable us achieve our goals.

-Amonde laments-

“The team has potential to do well but the kind of treatment we are getting makes us feel we are being pushed to the wall. We need help before it’s too late because we have a very long season ahead of us,” Amonde underpinned.

The captain said some of these challenges contributed to their poor performance in the previous season where they only reached one Main Cup quarter-final during the Wellington Sevens in New Zealand.

“We need to prepare well for Olympics qualifiers and to represent the country well in the new World Series season. Last season we didn’t go to camp after the Union cancelled it.

“Most of the players were on strike and when they joined us, they were not physically fit and by the time they catch up the season was over.

“The change of coaches has really affected us because we have to change our formation now and then instead of being consistent. As we are speaking, we are not sure who our head coach is,” Amonde, who turns out for Kenya Cup side, KCB RFC lamented.

South African, Zangqa who is reportedly slotted to succeed Ochieng, added, “We lack support and if simple basics like a training pitch, supplements, and gym are lacking, then how do you expect us to compete with top teams in the world?.”

The team has been training at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds but the Team Manager said the pitch was not in a good condition and they could not access gym facilities at Brook House School due to lack of money.

Efforts to reach, KRU boss, Richard Omwela by the time of going to press were futile.

The national team for the Cali IAAF World Youth Championships receives the flag from Deputy President, William Ruto on Friday, July 10. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 10– Kenya’s next generation departs for the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia on Saturday with a stated target of bagging eight gold medals as they seek to lead the charts for the first time since 2009.

Deputy President, William Ruto, handed the squad of 26 the national flag on Friday with a message to go forth and conquer the world in the established tradition of Kenyan teams to international athletics events.

Veteran youth head coach, Robert Ngiserei who handled the classes of 1999 that included the likes of former double world champion, Vivian Cheruiyot and 2009 is aiming to return home with gold in 800m, 1500m, 3000m and 2000m steeplechase for both boys’ and girls’.

This will be a record performance at the history of the biennial showpiece open to athletes not younger than 16 and not older than 17.

At the inaugural edition in 1999, Ngiserei managed to bring home 10 medals, 5 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze in Bydgoszcz, Poland before improving the tally in 2009 when they made a stop where Kenyan minted14 medals; 6 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze in Bressanone, Italy.

“This is a good team and there is possibility we will top the table one again. The performance at the National Trials was extra good. All the athletes are very talented and going by the times they have recorded, this is an indication records will be broken.

“I have faith we will win gold in all our usual events but we will fight in others to ensure they are within the medal bracket,” the long serving coach declared.

The team of 26 has six African Youth champions including; Kipyegon Bett (men 800m), Kumari Taki (men 1500), Davis Kiplagat, Emily Chebet (3000m), Vincent Kiyegon, Sandrafelis Chebet (2000m s/c).

Athletics Kenya acting president, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, called on the team to give their best since they will be receiving the World Youth flag from the host country as they prepare to host the 2017 edition in Nairobi.

“We have already started preparations for 2017, the Local Organising Committee is working hard to ensure we have the required equipment so as we are heading to Cali go and show them that we are ready.

“I urge athletes not to overrun themselves, the coaches should take care of them and advice them on which races to compete,” Tuwei advised.

Kenya will be looking to better her 2013 outing where they finished second behind Jamaica with eight medals; 4 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze.

The team will be seeking to defend the men’s 800m, 1500m (men), 3000m (women) and 2000m steeplechase (women) titles.

AFC Leopards fans celebrate victory over Sofapaka FC. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 11- Khalid Jumaan was the hero for AFC Leopards with the precious goal in their 1-0 victory over Ushuru FC for their second win on the bounce to pay back in kind their first leg defeat at the hands of the taxmen.

In the first of Saturday’s double header at Nairobi’s City Stadium, fellow giants Sofapaka were shocked by resurgent bankers, KCB who dispatched them 2-0 to atone for their last gasp 2-1 loss to Leopards on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, basement side Nakuru All Stars forced hosts Muhoroni Youth to settle for a thrilling 2-2 draw to wrap Saturday’s programme.

The biggest story though was Leopard’s gritty victory as the financially struggling giants who lost 13 players in the June transfer window continue to confound friend and foe under the tutelage of Croat head coach, Zradvko Logarusic.

Ingwe new boys were thrown to the deep end on Wednesday where former Sofapaka star, Patrick Kagogo’s last-gasp free-kick gave them maximum points to bring their campaign back on track after a bitter 1-0 loss to Thika United launched their second leg campaign on a sour note.

With the solid tax collectors dominating possession and piling on the pressure on both halves, Jumaan, who is fasting in the Holy Muslim month of Ramadan, completed a smash-and-grab victory when he scored the only goal from a header in the 29th minute.

Bernard Mang’oli brought in the set-piece that Jumaan, who was largely a bench player in the first leg, converted for his second goal of the season to lift Leopards third on the log in a game where suspect officiating in the KPL reared its ugly head again.

Despite Ushuru’s best efforts to level the match and five minutes of added on time, Ingwe held on for the three points that took them above Ulinzi Stars on the same tally of 31, 14 adrift of champions and table-toppers Gor Mahia.

“It’s big motivation to win two games in a row. I’m playing more and getting myself in the league. It’s not easy because I’m fasting and trying to play. It was a very tough game but at the moment, we are a bit down but with time, we will gel and do better.

“We wish the ones who left, we wish them well. We miss them but we have no choice but to play and win the match,” Jumaan who set a second finish as the realistic target for Leopards behind runaway leaders and archenemies Gor underscored.

“It was tough, it was scaring and I thank God the boys won. We were under pressure in the second half because the new boys have not got used to the way the coach wants to play. This is commendable.

“The exodus had given Khalid a life and he is having more time to play,” assistant Leopards boss, Yusuf Chippo held.

– Kenyatta incensed-

Ushuru boss and the last Leopards captain to lift the national title in 1998, Ken Kenyatta was left livid at the final whistle claiming his boys were robbed of victory or at least a share of the points by centre referee Raymond Onyango.

“KPL have to change, they are looking for two teams to compete in the league. It is making somebody feel like leaving football. I was denied two penalties in the first half; the goalkeeper is taking time to clear boys.

“We prepare teams; we do not come here to be intimidated. I have a good team that can beat anyone,” the fuming coach ranted after his side remained stuck on seventh following the defeat.

Earlier in the same stadium, last season’s runner-ups, Sofapaka remained 12 points adrift of the champions after failing to break into KCB’s vault with the bankers netting two unanswered goals to move up to 11th on 16 points and further away from danger.

Chrispinus Onyango, the young sizzling forward notched the double in the 20th and added time sandwiched between a 63rd missed penalty by John Odhiambo that would have settled matters much earlier against a Sofapaka side that looked a pale shadow of themselves.

All Stars improved to 10 points at the foot of the table after coming from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw in a result that could spark their great escape.

Muhoroni were coasting when Abass Akinyemi successfully converted a penalty in the 11th minute before All Stars were left reeling two minutes later when another veteran, Wycliffe Ochomo struck for 2-0.

Bebetto Lnamba pulled one back with ten to go in the second half and sensing blood, the table-propping side went for it and got the equaliser through Boniface Akenga on the stroke of full time.

World champion, Asbel Kiprop (right), Timothy KItum (2nd R) and Jackson Kivuva (3rd right) during the men 800m final of the Safaricom National Championships on Saturday, July 11. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 11 –National Police Service sprinter, Joyce Zakari, stole the show as four records fell on an incident-packed final day of the Safaricom National Athletics Championships on Saturday.

The three-day meet saw world beaters, 2011 double distance world champion, Vivian Cheruiyot , 2008 Olympics and two-time world champion Asbel Kiprop and World Cross title holder, Geoffrey Kamworor bag national titles as the event climaxed at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

Running under scotching heat in the high altitude of the Kenyan capital; sprinters grabbed the headlines after new records in men’s 100m, women’s 400m, 100m hurdles, 400m and 400m hurdles with another in the women 200m surviving due to hand timing.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Priscilla Tabuda set up the tone in the opening race when she dropped a stunning 14.08 in the women’s 100m hurdles to obliterate Florence Wasike’s 14.21 record set during the Nairobi 2010 African Championships.

Zakari set the unofficial national standard in the women’s 200m when she returned a hand timed of 22.4 that bettered the long standing record of former African champion, Ruth Waithera, 23.37 set during the 1984 Olympics Games.

She went on to formally erase Waithera’s 51.56 400m record set at the same Los Angeles Games, when the uncorked 51.14 for victory ahead of Prison’s African silver medallist, Maureen Jelagat who came second in 52.24 while Jecinta Shikanda took bronze in 53.06.

“I feel so happy because I was not expecting to set a 400m record since my event is 200m. I’m in good form and impressed with my kick. I hope to lower it during the Worlds Trials since I will not run 200m,” the elated, Zakari gashed.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, Fransisca Koki improved on her 55.84 national standard set at last year’s Africa Championships in Morocco, after stopping the timer at 55.82 for gold.

Mike Mokamba made light of the absence of elder brother and defending champion, Walter Moenga to set a new record of 10.23 in the men 100m to erase Tom Musinde’s 10.26 set at the 2007 All Africa Games in Algiers.

“I feel great to win both events especially setting a new 100m national record. Since I have met the world qualifying standard I hope to do well and represent the country in Beijing.

“I’m now going to work on my start which I feel is a let down,” Mokamba, the son former Kenyan legendary sprinter, Elikanah Nyang’au, an Olympics gold winner in 1972, underscored.

-Cheruiyot win-

Titleholder, Hellen Obiri was out to attend to maternal duties leaving the women 1500m crown vacant and it was Daegu 5000m/10000m double champion, Cheruiyot who subdued the field to succeed the KDF athlete.

Herself returning from maternal break, Cheruiyot stepped down the distance to take the honours in 4:09.88 ahead of Judy Kiyeng of KDF (4:11.46) with Sheila Jepleting closing the podium (4:13.21).

Cheruiyot, who led from gun to tape was using the three lap race to clock up the speed ahead of the Beijing Trials that will be held on July 31 and August 1.

“I’m happy with the time that I have set today because it’s not my event.  It has helped me a lot because of the speed.

“I’m preparing for the trials so it will help me to have a good kick in the final lap of 5000m since I’m working hard to regain my World title,” Cheruiyot who was ushered at the finish by men 800m record holder and Police teammate, David Rudisha asserted.

Kiprop bagged the men two-lap honours after crossing the finish ahead of Olympics men 800m bronze medallist, Timothy Kitum and 2010 Africa bronze medallist, Jackson Kivuva in 1:45.4.

Kitum came home second in a close finish (1:45.5) ahead of 2006 World Juniors silver medallist, Kivuva’s 1:45.7.

“It was tough since I was competing alongside great guys but I’m happy I have done Police proud. After running 800m I’ve seen my speed is good so before the Trials I will be around 80 percent fit since my aim is to win the 1500m world title for the third time,” Kiprop stated.

-Kamworor reigns- 

Kamworor stopped the timer at 13:14.7 to be crowned the men’s 5000m champion to extend his good form to the track.

The World Half Marathon champion, beat Worlds bronze medallist, Isaiah Koech (13:23.3) to second while KDF’s Emmanuel Kipsang took the third medal (13:25.4).

Kamworor fulfilled his favourite role to perfection, using his front running gait to batter the field to finish well clear of his nearest challenger, Koech, when he finished motoring around the track.

With two laps to go, Koech took control as Kipsang feel off the pace in third but at the bell, Kamworor showed his prowess to uncork a decisive surge before kicking away to a powerful finish on the homestretch.

Kamworor was using the event to find his speed ahead of the Beijing Trials where he will compete in the 10000m.

Ivy Kiyeng was another notable winner after upsetting Commonwealth champion, Purity Cherotich in the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 9:33.40 with the gold and silver medallists decided on photo finish.

Cherotich was second in 9:33.41 while World Junior champion Rosefline Chepng’etich took the third medal well behind the top pair (9:39.77).

Africa silver medallist, Vincent Yator clinched the men’s 10,000m (27:51.0) after beating Charles Yosei (27:54.6) and James Rugani (28:08.2) in the race that saw former World Junior winner, David Bett (fifth) and 2011 national champion, Peter Kirui (seventh) fade from the podium.

New national record holder, Joyce Zakari (left) lifts a wreath with former standard bearer, Rose Waithera (centre) on July 11. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya

Jubilant Malkia Strikers lifting the World Grand Prix gold trophy on July 12 in Australia/PHOTO Courtesy

NAIROBI, July 12- The national women’s volleyball class of 2015 will go into Kenyan history books as the first team to lift an FIVB World Grand Prix gold medal after stunning Peru 3-1 in Group 3’s final in Canberra, Australia on Sunday.

The high flying record nine-time African champions rallied from a set down to edge out favourites Peru (21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23) in a tense four set thriller to earn promotion to Group 2 next year, joining the big girls; Croatia, Canada, Argentina, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic and Poland.

Participating in the global annual showpiece for the second time, Malkia Strikers produced a brave display to top Group 3 ahead of silver medallist, Peru, high ranked Colombia who settled for bronze, hosts Australia, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Cuba and Mexico.

To reach the finals, Kenya who only lost twice in eight matches, once again came a set down to eliminate Australia 3-1 in the semis.

Against Peru, it was a sweet revenge for head coach, David Lung’aho charges after going down by straight sets when the two sides met in the opening first-leg match in Mexico.

With September’s World Cup in Japan and Congo Brazzaville’s Africa Games to come, Lung’aho said the win signalled Kenya is ready to battle with top teams in the world.

“After beating us in the first leg, we went and studied their previous matches and we knew exactly what to do and where. As much as our dependable player Evelyne Makuto didn’t play since she is recovering from abdomen discomfort, I’m happy youngster Noel Murambi proved her worth.

“I’m glad of the win and we can only hope for the best in future. Our focus now shifts to the forthcoming two crucial events-World Cup and All Africa games,” long serving head coach, David Lung’aho asserted after the victory.

Captain, Bracksides Agala said, “Hopefully, our win here in Australia proves critics wrong that the only active sport in Kenya is athletics. We hold the fans that came out in large numbers to support us in high esteem and we thank them,” Agala, who plies his professional trade in France lamented.

-Brilliant display-

Malkia Strikers in action against Peru in the Group 3 final of 2015 CAVB World Grand Prix/PHOTO Courtesy

Playing in front of Kenyans living in Australia led by Ambassador Isaiah Kabira, Malkia Strikers did not disappoint parading experienced hands in Mercy Moim, Janet Wanja, Agala, Ruth Jepng’etich, Lydia Maiyo and Noel Murambi in the entire match.

Once again promising attacker, Moim was the highest point scorer for Kenya after amassing 22 ahead of Chepng’etich who scooped 17.

In the opening set, Kenya earned the first point before slipping to allow Peru take the lead but they came back to close the gap at 18-18.

Peru went ahead with a huge spike coming off Kenya hands for a 20-19 lead before pressuring Lung’aho charges to block Kenyan attacks for a 25-21hard fought win.

The second set belonged to Kenya who improved on their blocks with Moim slamming home the spikes to open a 6-4 lead.

The African Queens piled pressure after the first technical time out to extend the lead before defending well to earn a 15-9 lead.

Kenya took the Second set with a powerful spike down the middle to close it 25-17.

Malkia pushed Peru to the wall in the closely contested third with the latter taking the lead after Kenya serve took a big chunk of the net and drop into open court for 5-3.

Lung’aho charges managed to come back after popping the ball over the net to narrowly lead 9-8 in the first time out.

They returned with brilliant blocks to earn them 23-20 advantage over Peru who saved back to back set points but Kenya held on to spike home two quick sets to take the lead 2-1.

With just a set away to making their historic moment, Kenya’s Maiyo led the block count with three but Peru pilled on the pressure to see them lead 4-1 in the fourth set.

Kenya showed great aerial dominance to reduce the gap before painting the corners with their spikes to bring it back together at 14-14.

Malkia charged to take a two point lead (18-16) with some desperate defending as Moim spiked straight down the centre of the court to win the fourth set 25-23 and be crowned Group 3 champions.

Gor Mahia’s Mehdie Kagere celebrates his equaliser against Mathare United on Sunday, July 12. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 12 – Champions Gor Mahia’s unbeaten run barely survived when they salvaged a point to force a 1-1 draw against Mathare United in a pulsating Kenyan Premier League clash played at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

In the early kick-off, Jesse Were grabbed a hat-trick to help Tusker FC thrash struggling Chemelil Sugar 5-1 to put the Sugar Millers head coach, Mike Mururi’s job on the line.

Elsewhere, Oscar Wamalwa and Geoffrey Kokoyo were on target as Ulinzi Stars beat basement side Nairobi City Stars 2-0, Thika United fell 1-2 to Western Stima as Bandari topped struggling Sony Sugar 1-0.

All focus was at Nyayo Stadium’s second match of a double header where K’Ogalo protected their unbeaten run, but only just, before heading to Tanzania for the regional Cecafa Kagame Cup that kicks-off next weekend.

“We dominated possession and created some chances and thankfully we managed to put one behind the back of the net. Karim picked up an injury and made it difficult for the strikers to get the ball in the box but Wafula did well,” Gor head coach, Frank Nuttall underscored after the match.

His opposite number, Stanly Okumbi was disappointed with the draw that saw the 2010 champions extend their winless run to seven.

“I’m upset because this is the eighth matches that we have failed to hold on the lead. Our plan was to win and I’m not happy with the draw because we conceded an easy goal, the keeper could have punched away that ball,” Okumbi who saw his side remain rooted 10th on 22 points said.

Meddie Kagere cancelled out midfielder, Eric Johana’s 24th minute opener when he nodded home an Enoch Agwanda long throw in the 70th minute to see Gor maintain their 12 point lead at the summit on 46.

Despite starting on attack from the onset with Godfrey Walusimbi and Abuoba Sibomana were denied by Mathare keeper Odhiambo, Gor were forced to chase the game after defensive blunder cost them for the first time since July last year.

K’Ogalo old boy, Edwin Lavatsa started the move when he beat two midfielders before finding Johana with a fine defence splitting pass that saw the Harambee Stars midfielder leave keeper Boniface Oluoch for dead to slam the ball into an empty net for the opener.

Mathare pushed the champions to the edge but Kagere came inches close to pulling them level when he controlled Sibomana’s pin point pass to shoot from a tight angle to leave them trailing at the break.

Gor returned with a bang, taking only seven minutes to threaten an equaliser when Kagere thought he had restored parity from his header, only for referee, Amos Ichingwa to rule it offside.

Nuttall was forced to make two changes due to injuries, withdrawing midfield king pin, Collins Okoth for Agwanda and right-back Karim Nzigiyimana for winger Innocent Wafula.

Kagere forced Odhiambo to spill the ball in the box with his long range shot but defender George Owino was at the right place to clear the danger for a fruitless corner in the 64th.

Six minutes later, Kagere finally beat Odhiambo when he headed home from Agwanda’s long throw in to light up the Green Army who thought their 17 match unbeaten run was coming to an end.

-Five-star Tusker-

Tusker FC captain, Jesee Were (right) and Danson Kago celebrate the forward’s goal on Sunday, July 12. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya

The early kick-off saw Mururi’s job put on the line with club chairman, Robert Nyakundi revealing to Capital Sport they will decide his fate on Monday after the sugar millers fell to a hiding.

Mururi who was voted last year’s Coach of the Year has so far gone eight successive matches without a win.

The Brewers bounced back from Wednesday’s 1-1 away draw to Ulinzi Stars in an encounter that saw Were jump above Gor’s Michael Olunga to the top scorers chat on 13.

Were opened the account after two minutes when he tapped home a Noah Wafula cross from the left but the lead only lasted until the half hour mark when Daniel Murage sneaked a header past Tusker keeper Martin Musalia to level the match.

With both sides destined to head to the break tied on one all, defender Lloyd Wahome extended the lead from a powerful header to net his third of the season.

Were, scored his second two minutes later after winger Wafula beat his former AFC Leopards teammate Titus Wamalwa to find the Tusker FC’s talisman who beat Chemelil keeper, Fredrick Onyango for the third.

Things got from bad to worse for Mururi’s side when another defender, Joakins Atudo added the fourth in the 60th from a set piece before Were completed the rout ten minutes to the final whistle for a match ball performance.

The result that was Francis Kimanzi’s biggest win of the season saw them climb to fifth on 29 points while Chemelil dropped one place off the relegation zone on 15.

Under fire Chemelil Sugar head coach, Mike Mururi, shouts instructions during their 5-1 mauling by Tusker last weekend. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 13 – Every sportsman’s dream is to be feted and when one is named the best, it means he or she has surpassed all others in excellence, achievement, quality and skills.

In football, the most popular sport in the world, players and coaches who are voted the best go on to raise their standards but in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) being named the finest has turned into a poisoned chalice.

The ‘curse’ of the annual Footballer of the Year Awards (FOYA) Awards has struck again this season, throwing aspersions to the integrity of the nomination process and on a wider perspective, fuelling the assertion the KPL is over-hyped.

Since the domestic topflight was remodelled and awards introduced in 2008, veteran striker, John Baraza, 38, is the only recipient who has matched being named the KPL Player of the Year with substance.

Gor Mahia goalkeeper, Boniface Oluoch formerly of Tusker and defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino managed to win awards at the glittering FOYA Gala twice in a row before going on to make headway in the game to join Baraza in the small list of those who have escaped from the ‘curse’.

Oluoch was crowned the 2011 and 12 shot –stopper of the Year, whilst Owino was named the Best defender in 2013 and 14 before departing for Zambian, side Zesco United where he has managed to flourish.

The inaugural FOYA Player of the Year winner, Francis Ouma (Mathare United/2008), George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo (Gor Mahia/2010), Kevin Kimani (Mathare United/2011), Ugandan Dan Sserunkuma (Gor Mahia/2012), Jacob Keli (KCB/2013) and the latest victim of the ‘jinx’ Ekaliani Ndolo (Sofapaka/2014) have failed to replicate top form in the subsequent season.

The midfielder who was the rave last year, bagging the Midfielder of the Year Award is struggling to start in Sam Timbe’s first XI, with only a goal to his name thus far, 18 games into the season.

Coaches have not been spared from the ‘hex’ with last season’s surprise top tactacian, Mike Mururi of Chemelil Sugar, facing the chop after a torrid sequence of eight games without victory with the club only a place above the relegation zone.

He continues an astonishing nightmare run for recipients of the Coach of the Year award who have not gone on to complete an entire season in the campaign after their moment of glory.

Club chairman, Robert Nyakundi told Capital Sport Mururi’s fate will be decided on Monday, just less than 24 hours after Team Manager, Meshack Muyonga was sacked following their latest 5-1 mauling to Tusker FC on Sunday.

“We have not fired Mururi, he is still our coach, you can’t fire someone for losing the match but we will meet on Monday to decide what to do because we are not happy with the performance of the team,” Nyakundi declared giving the beleaguered former club captain what should a short reprieve.

His keeper, Jairus Adira, who was also controversially named the Goal Keeper of the Year, has soaked in 25 goals between the Chemelil sticks, with all talk of making national team Harambee Stars a distant memory.

-Traces of the ‘curse’-

Ekaliani Ndolo with the FOYA Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year Awards. PHOTO/File

“When you are put on the spotlight everyone will be watching on you. I’m there now and I hope to even do better in the coming season. I know where I have come from and where I’m heading, it won’t be easy maintaining consistency but I will try my best.

“Football has become a full time paying job so if an offer comes and my club agrees I will go but for now I have six months left in my contract,” Ndolo said last year after being crowned KPL’s best but like those before him, he would rather return the gong to rediscover his touch that put him on the cusp of the national team.

At least, Ndolo did not move to foreign competition when he was the hottest property with his predecessors, Odhiambo, Kimani and Sserunkuma who ditched the KPL in the glow of their victories were forced to return after failing to replicate.

KPL standards have been put in question by the continued failure of its stars to make head away once they are out of the cuckoo nest.

Promising Odhiambo, who was spotted while playing for Thur Gem High School in the Kenya Secondary School Ball Games, was voted Young Player of the year on his debut KPL season at Gor in 2009 before bagging the top award in 2010.

He left the country for Denmark where he turned out for top fight side Randers FC for one season (2011-12) before joining Tanzanian side Azam FC for the 2012-13 campaign, failing to dazzle defences with the wizardly that had some here to brand him ‘Kenya’s Messi’ in glowing comparisons with the Argentine superstar.

Odhiambo returned to the KPL in January 2013 with his tail in between his legs after mutually terminating his contract with Azam to sign a six-month deal with Nairobi City Stars and after the contract elapsed, he signed with Armenian club Shirak FC but only stayed for six months before returning for his old stomping ground, K’Ogalo in 2014 where he remains a bit part player.

Kimani hightailed to Belgian’s third Division Bocholter (2012-2013) before moving to Greece for a half a season to feature for second tier side, APO Fostiras Tavros FC in the immediate aftermath of his KPL recognition.

After a spell without playing, he returned quietly back to the KPL in 2014 after signing for Tusker FC where he re-united with his former coach at Mathare United, Francis Kimanzi.

Former Gor talisman Sserunkuma, a feared goal poacher in the land failed to bench fellow Ugandan Emmanuel Okwi at Tanzanian Vodacom PL giants Simba and five months into a two-year deal, he parted company with his new side in May and his mooted return to K’Ogalo during the June transfer window fell through.

The man who led from the front as Gor claimed back-to-back KPL titles could not force his way back to the side that had exhausted their quota of seven foreign players as his fall from grace continues.

Keli did not escape either, his goals drying up in 2014 after joining dream club AFC Leopards having found the net more than anyone else in the previous season in KCB colours. He scored only eight in a season he came in for stick among the Ingwe faithful.

“After winning the Golden Boot and the Best Player in the domestic league, there is nothing more I can win here because I have already achieved, I only have to be very careful and patient.

“It’s all about playing time and it’s not that the previous winners have disappeared, I usually chat with Kevin Kimani and George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo. They are playing where they are and earning money it’s just that we don’t get information of how they are doing,” Keli, who recently joined Zambia side, Nkana FC said at his crowning moment in 2013.

-Coaches jinx-

Inaugural Coach of the Year winner, Robert Matano was shown the door only three months after leading Sofapaka to their first title on their KPL debut in 2009 with Ugandan Sam Ssimbwa brought in to take his place.

His successor in 2010, Benjamin Nyangweso (Ulinzi Stars) was demoted after another three months after helping the Militarymen win their fourth title. He was briefly re-instated before being officially fired in 2012 to be succeeded by Salim Ali.

Sammy Omollo, the next man in the queue, was the next causality but at least he lasted eight months only to be replaced by Matano who went on to lead the Brewers to snatch the title from Gor on the final day of the 2012 season for back-to-back victories.

Croatian, Zdravko Logarusic, the only foreign manager to have bagged the accolade in 2012 when he led Gor to GOtv Shield title and second in the league, parted ways with the champions’ mid-season.

He then watched as his successor, Scot Bobby Williamson, finally broke the 18-year wait for the crown as Gor fans went into frenzy.

Abdallah Juma, the 2013 winner did not last past three months after KCB failed to win a single game in nine at the start of the following season.

KPL Players of the Year

2008- Francis Ouma

2009- John Baraza

2010- George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo

2011- Kevin Kimani

2012-Dan Sserunkuma

2013- Jacob Keli

2014- Ekhaliani Ndolo

KPL Coaches of the Year

2009- Robert Matano

2010- Benjamin Nyangweso

2011- Sammy Omollo

2012- Zradvko Lofarusic

2013- Abdallah Juma

2014- Mike Mururi

Allan Wanga celebrates scoring for Harambee Stars in a previous match. He is repotedly on the verge of a move to Tanzania giants, Azam. PHOTO/File

NAIROBI, July 13 – Harambee Stars forward, Allan Wanga is set to join Tanzania Vodacom Premier League giants, Azam FC.

According the club’s official website, talks are at an advanced to bring the 29-year-old forward to link up with Rwandese side APR midfielder, Jean-Baptiste Mugiraneza who has penned a one-year deal

The Chamazi based side have been tracking Wanga since last year when we scored the winner to help his immediate former club and Sudanese champions, El-Merreikh, lift the Cecafa Kagame Cup last year against APR in the final.

He also found the target against Azam as El-Merriekh knocked them out of the tournament.

Wanga, who was on the verge of joining South Africa’s Premier Soccer League side Bidvest Wits after featuring in a friendly against Ajax Cape Town where he scored, returned home after the deal reportedly fell through due to lack of a work permit.

The striker who declined to renew his one-year deal with El-Merreikh will become the fifth Kenyan to turn out for Azam after defenders, Ibrahim Shikanda and Jockins Atudo, midfielder Humphrey Mieno as well as striker George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo..

It will be the fourth foreign club that the former AFC Leopards crowd favourite will play at after stints in Angola’s Petro Atletico, Azerbaijan’s’ FK Baku and Vietnam’s Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

Head coach Stewart Hall who is seeking to reclaim the title in the 2015-16 season after finishing second to champions Young Africans will bring his signings to four if the Wanga deal is completed.

Sonyanga Ole Ngais, the Maasai Cricket Warriors captain (left) and England stars James Anderson during the London West End Premier of their documentary. PHOTO/MCW Website

LONDON, July 13- “The eye that leaves the village sees further” according to a Maasai proverb.

In that case, Sonyanga Ole Ngais sees a long way.

Resplendent in red traditional robes, the captain of a cricket team made up of Kenyan Maasai warriors cut a distinctive figure in London’s West End on Monday as a documentary about his side’s exploits received its premiere.

“Warriors”, whose executive producer is England paceman James Anderson, charts how the players, introduced to the sport in 2007 by South African enthusiast Aliya Bauer, grow to love the game and even take part in a global amateur tournament at cricket’s spiritual home Lord’s.

The film is full of arresting imagery, be it the scenes of the Maasai’s native remote central highlands of Laikipia or the sight of the team, who play in their traditional dress rather than conventional cricket whites, walking through the Long Room at the British ground.

There are also moments of humour, as when an officer connected to the British Army Training Unit in Kenya, who helped provide the Warriors with an artificial pitch to train on, says: “It’s got a bit of a slope but, then again, so has Lord’s.”

However, much of Warriors is devoted to the team’s attempts to get their tribal elders to abandon the traditional practice of female genital mutilation.

The often deadly practice, which ranges from slicing off the clitoris to the mutilation and removal of the entire female genitalia, is banned in Kenya but still regularly carried out.

The combination of cricket and social activism might seem jarring to audiences used to legions of high-profile players who confine their public remarks to nothing more controversial than bland reflections on the match they’ve just played.

But for Warriors skipper Sonyanga one leads naturally to the other.

“In our society, the women or the girls are treated as inferior, and it’s no good,” Sonyanga said at the premiere.

“We are not saying we abandon all our good culture, only the harmful practices such as female genital mutilation.

“It is very hard to go against the elders, but cricket is giving us that courage, and that confidence. We are very proud of what it means to be Maasai and that is why we play in our traditional robes.”

– ‘Visually stunning’ –

In the audience at Soho’s Curzon Cinema on Monday was former England captain Michael Atherton, who congratulated British director Barney Douglas for a “visually stunning” film on Twitter.

Dressed in striking colourful bead necklaces, with some in headdresses, the team, who mostly come from Il Polei village near Mount Kenya, also wear standard cricketing kit of gloves and shin pads.

It was a picture of one of the players hitting a ball that is said to have drawn first-time director Douglas, who spent several years working for the website of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“I’ve known Barney for a few years through his involvement in cricket,” said executive producer Anderson, explaining his connection to the documentary.

“I don’t know if he asked me as such but we were talking about it and it was something that straight away I really liked.”

Anderson, set to feature against Australia in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Thursday, said he saw the film as a way “to do some good” through the game, saying it had been “very kind” to him during his 14 years as a professional player.

“Some guys (in the Warriors’ team) travel for four hours on a motorbike to practise every week with their cricket bag on their back.

“Just seeing that passion for the sport that I love reminded me of why I started playing cricket.”

Girls’ 2000m steeplechase winner, Sadra Felis Chebet in action. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 14- In Sandra Felis Chebet, Kenya has an athlete who looks capable of making it three girls’ 2000m title in a row for the proud steeple chasing nation when action gets underway at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia on Wednesday.

Chebet holds three of the four fastest times in the world for a girl, her best effort of 6:16.19 coming at the Youth Championships Trials in Nairobi last month.

That run puts her eight seconds clear of her closest rival in Cali, Celphine Cheptoek Chespot, who is Kenya’s second representative raising the possibility of the 1-2 and two medals on the opening day of action.

If anyone is to upset the Kenyan pair, then the Ethiopian trio of Agrie Belachew, Beletu Hailu and Asimarech Naga appear to hold the best chance.

Belachew came out on top at their trials in Addis Ababa in May, running 6:32.80, just ahead of Hailu (6:33.22) and Naga (6:33.75), although only two will run in Cali.

Of the non-Africans, Puerto Rico’s Alondra Negron, Belarus’s Tatsiana Shabanava and Hungary’s Lili Toth have all run 6:40 or quicker this year and look the strongest entries on paper.

Chebet and Cheptoek will be in action during the afternoon session of the heats hoping to make Friday’s medal race.

Trials winner Kumari Taki and Lawi Kimtai will be the first of 26 Kenyans in Colombia to step onto the track during the morning session in the men 1500m boys’ heats.

Edwin Ngeeti and Josphat Kipng’etich will be the next up in the boys’ 400m first round before Purity Joy Chepkoech and Jane Njoki battle for slots in the semis in the corresponding girls’ race to close the morning session.

Edwin Langat will feature in the boys’ Triple jump first round in the afternoon session before Chebet and Cheptoek take to the waters and barriers semis with the first gold medal in Cali being won at the last event of the programme during the boys’ 100m final.

-Additional material from IAAF.org

Alphas Kishoiyan celebrates his men 400m at National Championships. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, June 14 – National sprint head coach, Stephen Mwaniki hopes the four Kenyan records broken during the National Championships will be a wake-up call to Athletics Kenya (AK) to empower talent in short races.

Kenya is revered globally as a middle and long distance powerhouse but Mwaniki, believes the country has talented sprinters who can become world beaters only if they are exposed.

Besides the records, Mike Mokamba (men 200m/20.50), Joyce Zakari (women 400m/51.14) and Fransisca Koki (women 400m hurdles/55.82) beat the qualifying standards for the forthcoming IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

Mokamba got to the record breaking act when he ran 10.23 in 100m that fell just short of the 10.16 Beijing entry time with Priscillah Tabunda who ran 14.08 in the women 100m Hurdles also failing to beat the Worlds mark of 13.00.

Other sprinters who have met qualifying standards ahead of the Beijing Trials are 2012 Africa bronze medallist, Boniface Mucheru and Nicholas Bett (men’s 400 hurdles), former Africa Junior bronze medallist, Alphas Kishoiyan and 2013 World Youth third finisher Alex Sampao (men’s 400m).

Mwaniki called on AK to actualise the proposed exchange programmes with sprint power house Jamaica saying it will help talented distance athletes realise their dream of making their mark on the global stage.

“We have always been presuming we don’t have sprinters but it has been proven and this is coming after Bahamas World Relays Championships because we started our preparations early.

“Hopefully the federation has seen what has happened in sprints, most of them have qualified for the world championships and we hope they will be selected during the national trials where we will have strong contenders,” Mwaniki, who is also the Kenya Prisons head coach asserted.

AK had made arrangements to have famed Jamaican sprint coach, Glen Mills, who trained among others, superstar, double Olympics and World champion, Usain Bolt but federation CEO, Isaac Mwangi, says they have turn to Germany for expertise.

“The four records that were broken show the strategy we have put in place is working. We have decided to put more effort in sprints; four coaches are attending the IAAF sprints level four course.

“We are working with partners to ensure we have a special training base for sprinters. We have a German consultant who has come to work with us and I believe with that kind of exposure, they will start performing well.

“The more they meet the qualifying standards for the international events the more we will enter them. We are not going to overlook the sprinters,” Mwangi told Capital Sport.

More athletes will be seeking to meet the qualifying mark when the national Beijing Trials will be held on August 31 and July 1 in Nairobi where USA based Carvin Nkanata who has a 20.14 season’ best in the men’s 200m also expected to fight for selection.

“I feel great to win both 100 and 200m titles, it’s a big boosts ahead of the Trials that will be tough since Nkanata will be available. I will be working on my start where I’m slow and if I improve on that, I will be capable to lower my 200m PB to 20.3.

“I need to test my capability in Africa,” Mokamba the son of former Kenyan sprint legend and his coach, Elikanah Nyang’au stated.

Despite running her 200m personal best when she clocked a hand timed 22.4, Zakari will not be competing in the race which is her speciality during the Trials, instead turning to 400m after breaking former Africa Champion Ruth Waithera’s 51.56 previous national record, when she returned 51.14.

Tabuda the women’s 100 hurdles record holder will be out to improve on her 14.08 Personal Best to meet13.00 Worlds qualifying mark.

“I can’t believe I’ve set a new record because we had strong competitors. I feel my hard work was not in vain. I want to lower it to 12.0,” Tabuda said.

During the last World Championships in Moscow, Russia, only Africa silver medallist, Maureen Jelagat and the men’s 4x400m relays team represented the country in the short distance events.

Veteran setter, Janet Wanja, moments after Malkia Strikers beat Peru in the World Grand Prix Group 3 final on Sunday. PHOTO/Courtesy

NAIROBI, July 16 – A split within the ranks of celebrated national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, is imminent with the players agitating to play at the Africa Games as opposed to the FIVB World Cup where the federation prefers to send them.

The divisions manifested themselves on Tuesday night when the team arrived back from their World Grand Prix Group 3 victory to a warm reception that masked bitter backroom bickering between senior players and Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) top officials.

As intense negotiations that roped in the Sports Ministry went on to diffuse the crisis, the players stood to their ground asserting they will only compete at the pan African competition with KVF pushing for them towards World Cup duty in Japan.

The standoff has been caused by the over-lapping of the tournaments with the World Cup set for August 22 to September 6 whilst the Africa Games are scheduled to run between September 4 and 20 in Congo Brazzaville.

KVF announced they will select two separate teams for both events with the under-23 side that has been training at Kasarani Stadium assigned for the continental tournament with their seniors travelling to Japan.

However, this development was not welcomed by the Malkia Strikers who returned as heroines having stunned Peru 3-1in the FIVB World Grand Prix Group 3 final in Australia to become the first African team to win gold at the global circuit event.

Gloomy faces of the nine-time African champions were the order of the day as they strolled out of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Arrivals Lounge in sharp contrast to the glow that illuminated the nation on Sunday following their historic achievement.

Head coach David Lung’aho, perhaps towing the official line, was coy over the tussle.

“We told the players to celebrate the win first then we will discuss other things later. We know there are two major tournaments coming up and I’m assuring Kenyans we are going to participate in both.

“If we go to World Cup, we will go with our heads up knowing we can beat those teams and we make it to the second phase. I’m sure we will be going for it,” the long serving tactician underscored.

-Player dissent-

His squad, led by skipper, Bracksides Agala, did not shy away from expressing their discontent as the row boiled over to the surface.

“What I know is that we are going to Africa Games because the World Cup is coming before. The players are set to go to Africa Games because we have not won it for a very long time and this is a winning team.

“The team wants to go and break the jinx and bring the trophy back home,” the French based blocker declared.

Veteran setter, Janet Wanja who missed most of the Grand Prix second leg after falling ill, believes the seniors ought to Congo Brazzaville to pave way for the Under-23s to experience international competition at the World Cup.

“We don’t know which players are going for World Cup and Africa Games. At least we have a young team so whichever the federation will chose either way we are hoping for the best but for us we were hoping to go to Africa Games.

“If we go to World Cup, it means we will have no time to rest because it’s in a week’s time. Japan is very far from here and we are supposed to play 11 matches.

“As much as they want us to perform there, I don’t know if it’s going to be what they expect of us that’s why we are opting for Africa Games,” Wanja, the most capped player in the team, explained.

Fellow setter, Jane Wacu, who was in the bronze winning squad for the 2011 Maputo Africa Games (then known as All Africa Games) echoed her sentiments.

“Olympics and Africa Games has always been our dream because it comes every four years. No one knows if she will be playing volleyball then if we skip this. I would like to return to Africa Games because they have a lot of exposure.

“We are just waiting for the federation’s verdict,” the star who plies her trade at French based side Chamaliers, emphasised.

KVF chairman, Waithaka Kioni refuted claims that there was rift between the team and management, adding their aim is to send strong teams to both events.

“We will send two teams that will go and bring the trophies because we have a lot of talented players. I don’t think there is any problem. We shall prepare the two teams adequately and results in both will be outstanding,” Kioni declared.

Sports Commissioner, Gordon Oluoch was hopeful the stand-off will end to enable the teams concentrate on training when they resume from a week-long break

“The management of our Africa Games team and KVF must work together to come up with a formula of sending two strong teams that are capable of winning the Africa Games and one that will produce great show in World Cup.

“But the input of players must be taken into consideration. We have heard their sentiments because their hearts are in the Africa Games.

“Four years ago they lost the title to Algeria so I believe with the team’s good form; it will provide a good platform to avenge the defeat,” Oluoch added.

The last time Kenya won Africa Games gold was in 1999 in South Africa to claim the title for a third time in a row.

Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Dr. Hassan Wario promised the Government will reward the team that was scheduled to meet the Head of State on Wednesday and his deputy, William Ruto on Thursday.

Gor forward, Mehdie Kagere, celebrates his equaliser against Mathare United last weekend. Gor depart for Cecafa Kagame Cup on Thursday, July 15. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, July 14- Gor Mahia will take their pride of place at the high table of regional titans after the Government provided 30 tickets to enable them travel to Tanzania’s 2015 CECAFA Kagame Cup that starts on Friday.

Separately, the club managed to net Sh2.1m from a fundraiser on Tuesday night aimed at offsetting the costs of securing air travel after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) allegedly bailed out on them last week.

“We approached the Government late and they agreed to give us tickets for a contingent of 30. We are waiting for confirmation from the Ministry of Sports since we had booked online,” Ronald Ngala, Gor’s assistant secretary general, told Capital Sport.

“We raised good money although we didn’t hit our target of Sh5.5m. The Sh2.1m we raised will help us clear bonuses and allowances and facilitation of the team in Tanzania. We are ready to go and the team is motivated,” Ngala added ahead of Thursday’s departure for Tanzania.

Among those who answered K’Ogalo’s call and came to the aid back-to-back Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions included outspoken Gatundu South legislator, Moses Kuria, who brought Sh200, 000 and FKF president, Sam Nyamweya, who contributed Sh50,000.

It was barely a week after Nyamweya and his local governing body strenuously denied they had resolved at a Cecafa meeting of regional football chiefs to pay for the air travel of participating teams in a development that saw Gor consider pulling out of the club showpiece.

Kuria arrived at the function held at Nairobi’s Railway Club after walking out of a local television interview before a clip of alleged incitement and hate speech was about to be aired to a rousing reception among the Gor faithful gathered.

Frank Nutall and his boys are bidding to lift the regional crown for the first time since 1985 and have been pooled against local giants, Yanga, KMKM (Zanzibar), Telcom (Somalia) and Al Khartoum of Sudan.

Gor kick-off their campaign against Yanga in the opening clash of the tournament on Saturday in what is their trickiest tie of the preliminary round they failed to progress from last year after three identical 2-1 defeats and a draw.

The five-time Cecafa club champions are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Collins Okoth and Karim Nzigiyimana who are okay to travel but not match fit after suffering knocks in their tense 1-1 draw against Mathare United.

K’Ogalo are yet to lose a match in the top tier domestic league after 18 rounds as a hat-trick of KPL titles beckons with the regional tourney offering them a stiffer challenge to underline their credentials.

Wilson Kipsang after winning last year’s New York Marathon. He is among stars taking part in the 836km march for peace. PHOTO/File

NAIROBI, July 15- Top Kenyan athletes including former world marathon record holders Wilson Kipsang and Tegla Loroupe set off Wednesday on a 22-day “Walk for Peace” against ethnic violence, organizers said.

Cattle rustling and revenge killings between rival communities are common in Kenya’s remote and impoverished northern regions, an area awash with automatic weapons.

The 836-kilometre (520-mile) walk is being organised by former Commonwealth marathon champion John Kelai, who is marching in memory of three of his uncles killed in cattle raids when he was a teenager.

Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie is expected to join the final stages of the walk, due to end on August 6.

“When people are being killed and driven from their homes, it is a tragedy for all of us,” Gebrselassie said, in a statement released by the walk organizers.

Ethiopia borders northern Kenya, and armed cattle herders launch raids either side of the porous frontier.

The marathon march began in the northern Kenyan town of Lodwar in the volatile Turkana region, heading south for some 40 kilometres every day through the vast Rift Valley to Lake Bogoria.

– ‘Saving lives’ –

The athletes carried an Olympic-style torch, which will be passed from walker to walker as they trek southwards through some of Kenya’s most volatile regions.

“We are going to inspire and engage the young people from the divided communities and help to break the cycle of violence,” Kelai, the 2010 Commonwealth marathon gold medallist, said in a statement.

Former world marathon champions Paul Tergat, Kenyan Olympic steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi and Uganda’s reigning Olympic and world marathon champion, Stephen Kiprotich, have also said they will take part in the walk.

Kiprotich comes from Uganda’s border areas with Kenya, which suffers from cattle rustling and violence.

“Running has brought me a lot of championships, fame, accolades, but what it has not brought me is peace,” Kelai added.

“When I was 13 years of age I lost my three uncles, they were killed by cattle rustlers.”

The athletes, who are encouraging people to join them in their walk, hope to raise over $250,000 (225,000 euros) to fund a peace-building programme, said the Aegis Trust, which works to rebuild communities riven by conflict, notably in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide.

Aegis Trust, which is helping organise the walk, said the programme “will engage at least 10,000 young people at risk of being drawn into the ethnic violence, saving lives.”

In May, some 75 people were killed in just four days of cattle raids and revenge attacks.

Last year at least 310 people were killed and more than 220,000 fled their homes as a result of inter-communal conflicts attributed to competition over land and water resources, cattle rustling, and struggles over political representation, according to the United Nations.

Britain’s Christopher Froome rides in the hill as supporters cheer during the 10th stage of the Tour de France on July 14, 2015 in southwestern France. PHOTO/AFP

PAU, July 15- Two years on from his scintillating victories at Ax 3 Domaines and Mont Ventoux, Chris Froome finds himself again in the eye of a storm of doping suspicions at the Tour de France.

Just as he did in 2013, the Kenyan-born Briton seemingly crushed his rivals’ spirits with a stunning victory up to La Pierre-Saint Martin on Tuesday.

And with two more Pyrenean stages to come on Wednesday and Thursday, the 30-year-old could have killed off all semblance of suspense at the 2015 Tour before it even reaches the Alps, let alone Paris.

Predictably, after reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali and two-time former winner Alberto Contador floundered on the lower slopes of the 15km climb to Tuesday’s finish, Froome had to field questions about his legitimacy.

And he awoke Wednesday morning to more incredulity surrounding his latest climbing demolition job.

“Chris Froome’s demonstration did not remove the strange climate surrounding the Sky team,” wrote l’Equipe, the popular French sports daily.

Froome himself reacted with uncharacteristic frankness when asked at a tense press conference about doping following his success on Tuesday.

“I know I’m a clean rider, I’ve worked extremely hard to be in this position and I’m very proud of that,” he insisted.

“It doesn’t make me angry, I know where the questions are coming from, I know the history of the Tour and the people that have gone before me.

“But at the same time there needs to be a level of respect. I’ve worked extremely hard to be here and I’m not going to let anyone take that away from me.”

He also found some defenders in the shape of former world champion Luc Leblanc, now a consultant on French TV and radio.

“It annoys me to hear people talking about doping every time someone puts on a performance like that,” Leblanc told BFM news channel.

“If it had been a French rider, no-one would have batted an eyelid.”

Leblanc, world road champion in 1994, himself admitted in 2000 following his retirement that he had taken the banned blood-booster EPO during his career.

The tale of Tuesday’s stage also seems to suggest Froome is being treated unfairly.

While specialist climbers such as Nibali, Contador and French trio Jean-Christophe Peraud, Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet all cracked under the strain of the first high mountain stage of this year’s race, modest climbers such as Frenchmen Tony Gallopin and Pierre Rolland, and Froome’s own teammate Geraint Thomas, lost just two minutes to the Sky leader.

On such a tough climb — 15.3km at an average 7.4 percent gradient — in baking hot weather, after a mostly fast, flat stage and following a rest day, which often knocks riders out of their rhythm, the gaps to the likes of Gallopin and Thomas were if anything surprisingly small.

But the collapse of Froome’s ‘fantastic four’ rivals — only Nairo Quintana managed to limit his losses to a single minute — seems to have conditioned the response of the sceptics, not least because of the curious episode of Sky’s computers being hacked and Froome’s training data stolen.

Sky manager Dave Brailsford believes that was done to try to prove Froome is cheating.

It means Froome will face increased scrutiny during Wednesday’s 188km ride from Pau to Cauterets with the first category Col d’Aspin and the fearsome hors category Col du Tourmalet to overcome.

Unless Froome cracks spectacularly and lets his rivals back into the race, the doping suspicions will likely follow him all the way to Paris.

Reigning and immediate former world marathon champions, Dennis Kimetto (right) and Wilson Kipsang pose outside the London bridge ahead of the the city’s marathon. They were both included in the provisional team for the Worlds.

NAIROBI, July 15- Former Kenyan world marathon record holder and Olympic bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang is not planning to run another competitive race, but is focused on reclaiming the world title for Kenya in Beijing next month.

The 33-year-old two-time London marathon winner says he has not been in the best of shape possible in his five recent races.

He was beaten into second place by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge at the London marathon in April, and finished fourth and fifth respectively in two half-marathon races in New York and the Czech Republic last month.

“It has been a very busy year for me so far,” said Kipsang, who is one of the star athletes to participate in an ongoing 836 kilometre (520 mile) “walk for peace” relay, organised by former Commonwealth champion John Kelai. The 22-day march, aimed to raise awareness to help end ethnic violence in northern Kenya, started in the semi-arid Rift Valley town of Lodwar on Wednesday.

“Since my last race in Olomouc, I have been back in Kenya recovering from all these races and starting my preparation for the upcoming world championships in Beijing.

“The conditions in Beijing are going to be very tough because of the heat and the humidity. That’s why I have started training in similar conditions to get used to this type of climate.

“One of the few things lacking in my career is a medal at the world championships. This is why my focus is now completely on becoming a world marathon champion. I dream of reclaiming the title for Kenya in Beijing.”

Kipsang is included in a six-man provisional team, which includes the current world record holder, Dennis Kimetto, and Mark Korir, the 2015 Paris marathon winner.

Only three athletes will make the final team for the August 22-30 championships, with the national selection scheduled to be held on August 1 after the Kenyan trials at the Nairobi’s Kasarani stadium.