Africa 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala is envisioning winning gold in the presence of President Uhuru Kenyatta when the Commonwealth Games get underway in Birmingham, England on July 28.

The Club Games are scheduled to run for 11 days between July 28 and August 9 where Omanyala will be among the favorites to win gold, in the absence of US athletes and Olympic champion, Italian Marcell Jacobs.

With the Head of State having promised him that he will travel to watch him compete, Omanyala is hoping the President will indeed be in Birmingham.

“I Know the President loves sports so when he said he will be travelling to watch us, I believed him.Having him around will come with extra impetus to perform better,” he said.

Omanyala’s 100m race in Birmingham starts with the first round and semi-finals on August 2, while the final takes place the following day.

Meanwhile Omanyala has revisited his recent appearance at the World championships where he bowed out at the semi final stage.

He said he tried to push himself in the semi-final but his body failed to react promptly.

 “But I have no regrets, just a lesson,” said Omanyala, indicating that it was definitely worth competing in Oregon.

“At least I got to the semi-finals and I hope to do better. I have the Commonwealth Games in two weeks so I believe I will do much better there,” said Omanyala, who will be out to wrestle the Commonwealth Games 100m title from Akani Simbine.

Omanyala said every challenge one faces leaves them stronger.

“The challenge of life is intended to make you better, not bitter. Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems.”

Omanyala explained that no matter what befalls an individual, they must always keep ploughing ahead. “That’s the only way to keep the roads clear,” said the 26-year-old Omanyala, who beat Simbine last month in Mauritius to take the Africa 100m title from him.

Simbine, the only African in the final, finished fifth in 10.01, behind Jamaican Oblique Seville in 9.97.