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Kenya being in category A of the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) has led to a stringent process of qualification standards for Kenyan athletes ahead of the World Athletics championships in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled to take place from August 19 to 27.

Athletics Kenya (AK) Vice President in charge of competition Paul Mutwii said that athletes will only qualify for the World event by competing at the national trials, national championships and Kip Keino Classic Continental Gold Tour or any other international race accredited by World Athletics.

According to Mutwii they had applied to World Athletics on the qualifications standards but they were given national championships which must fit international standards including officials overseeing the events.

National trials

“We had applied to World Athletics to be allowed to qualify in weekend meets but we were given national trial, national championships and Kip Keino Classic or any international event recognised by the world Athletics.” Said Mutwii.

He added that they are working round the clock to make sure they get a strong field of about 300 athletes from different events to be able to qualify.

“We have written to the Ministry of Sports for some funds so that we can get able athletes drawn from different events, we want to take the best clean athletes to the World event,” added Mutwii.

Sprint races

He also revealed that after the second track and field meeting, AK will request funds from the Ministry of Sports to take athletes in the sprint races will be taken to compete in Botswana national championships.

“We will request funds from the ministry to take sprinters to Botswana, as the country has accepted to host us. We have also plans to take the sprinters to America,” Mutwii added.

Meanwhile, athletes will converge in Kisumu for the first track and field competition at Moi Stadium and Kisumu Polytechnic for the two-day event held today and tomorrow.

The event will involve sprints, middle distance and field competitions.

Track events will include 10,000m, 5000m, 800m, 1500m for both men and women.

On the field events, it will be shot put, hammer discus, long jump and javelin for both men and women.

Spectators will also be treated with 100m, 200m, 4x400m and 4x100m relay races