Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen has flagged off Kenyan Under-20 athletics team to World Athletics Under-20 Championship, which will be held in Lima, Peru.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, August 23, 2024, Murkomen said the team that consists 22 athletes will fly high the Kenyan flag in the competitions that will kick off on August 27, 2024, until August 31, 2024.

Murkomen on Under-20 Championship

Murkomen pointed out that the Under-20 Championship is a crucial event since it is where the country’s next world and Olympic champions will emerge from.

“The U-20 championship is a crucial competition from where our next world and Olympic champions will emerge. Excited to have flagged off this morning the athletes to represent our nation in the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru. The team of 22 will fly the Kenyan flag in the games that will be held between 27th and 31st August, 2024,” Murkomen stated.

Murkomen on medals

Murkomen further noted that the team that will be competing in six categories, exuded confidence it will win medals.

The former Transport CS also stated that he had used the opportunity to convey President William Ruto’s wishes to the team.

“The team exuded confidence it will win medals in the 6 categories it’s competing in. During the event, I conveyed H.E. President William Ruto’s message of best wishes to the team members and urged them to do their best as they are not only running for their careers but they also carry the pride of our nation,” Murkomen said.

The U-20 championship is a crucial competition from where our next world and Olympic champions will emerge.

Excited to have flagged off this morning the athletes to represent our nation in the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru. The team of 22 will fly the Kenyan… pic.twitter.com/YpP8Hs51oX

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) August 23, 2024

Women’s 800m

Kenya’s Sarah Moraa will look to follow in the footsteps of her cousin, Mary, by claiming a global 800m title.

Mary Moraa finished fifth at the championships back in 2018 and went on to win the world 800m title at senior level in 2023 and she’s been a mentor for her 18-year-old cousin, Sarah, who finished third at the Kenyan Olympic Trials in June, lowering her PB to 1:59.39.

Men’s 3000m

Kenyan duo Clinton Kimutai Ngetich and Denis Kipkoech should prove tough to beat in this. Australia’s Cameron Myers tops the entry list with his PB of 7:46.38 but he’s expected to focus solely on the 1500m in Lima, with Ngetich (7:48.09) and Kipkoech (7:48.48) the next quickest.

Men’s 5000m

Kenya’s Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi tops the entries via the 13:05.55 he ran in Italy in early June, but he was beaten into second at the Kenyan U20 Trials a few weeks after that by 2023 world U20 cross-country champion Ishmail Rokitto Kipkurui, who clocked 13:05.47 last year and finished a fine 10th in the world 5000m final in Budapest.