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Barnaba Kitilit,Team Kenya leader to the World Indoor Championships set for March 18-20 this year in Belgrade, Serbia will be using the event to prepare for bigger events coming up later this year. 

Kitilit who led the team on Tuesday evening to Serbia, said the athletes are in high spirits and have the Oregon World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in mind going into the Belgrade outing. 

“The athletes are in high spirits for sure, for them, this will also be a ground for trying to see their preparedness ahead of the other coming international events, that is outside not indoors, as the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in June, the African Athletics Championships for the seniors in Mauritius and finally the commonwealth games in Birmingham,”Kitilit said.

Represent Kenya

Despite the team having not assembled for a residential camp ahead of their Belgrade tour, the veteran coach is contented they will produce good results. 

“We are not bothered much for not putting the athletes in camp, but going by personal assessment, I can say they are all prepared to represent the country well,” he added. 

The team is made up of six men and four women and will be accompanied by six officials to Belgrade. 

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala highlights the team set to represent Kenya in the championships.  

Beatrice Chebet is yet another high profile athlete who will be going for more accolades in her first assignment for Kenya in the seniors. 

Already with Gold in 5000m at the World U20 Championships and another title at the World U20 Cross Country Championships, Chebet is keen to add another at the World Indoor Championships. 

“I am ready to represent Kenya at the indoor Games, where I want to do well,” said Chebet who will be competing in the women’s 3,000m event together with fast rising Edna Jebitok. The former world under 20 winner, Jebitok will also double up in the 1,500m. 

World Relay 2x2x400m silver medalist Naomi Korir makes the women’s 800m team alongside Eglay Nalianya. 

Abel Kipsang, is the lone ranger in the men’s 1,500m while Collins Kipruto, will fly the country’s flag in the men’s 800m, alongside World Under-20 800m bronze medallist Noah Kibet. 

Jacob Kiprop and Daniel Simiu will battle it out in the men’s 3,000m. 

The team is being coached by 2017 World 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei.