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Athletics Kenya has set up 25 youth athletics camps countrywide to nurture talent ahead of 2022 World U20 Championships selated for Cali, Columbia, in early August. 

Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir said junior athletes need to prepare early so that a strong team can be selected in the end. 

“Juniors are crucial in transition and we have a lot of talent across the country. 

That is why we want to start early preparations so that we can select a strong team that will be heading to Cali to represent Kenya,” said Korir.   Despite success in middle and long-distance events, Kenya has for a long time struggled in sprints and field events in major championships and according to Korir, early scouting and exposure from the grassroots is the only way out if Kenya is to break the jinx. 

“For long Kenya has failed to emerge top in global events because we usually fall short of medals in sprints and field events, we now need to focus on these events. We have the talents in these young kids, they only need support and they will deliver the medals,” Korir who also doubles as AK Nairobi branch chairman said. 

Kenya will be seeking to defend its title for the third consecutive time after bagging a total of 16 medals; eight gold, one silver and seven bronze. 

National trials for the World U20 Championships team shall be held on July 8 and 9 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi. 

World Athletics Council selected Cali, Colombia, to host the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships after staging a successful edition of the World U18 Championships in 2015. 

More than 1,500 athletes from 175 countries will participate in the five-day Championship.