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There was a standoff yesterday between athletes and officials of Athletics Kenya (AK( federation as well as those from the Kenya National Sports Council, as the athletes refused to take part in the trials for the13thAfrican Games unless the slots for qualifications are increased.

The participants had been informed that only the winners of each racewould represent the country at the continental Games that begin in Accra, Ghana on Friday, unlike in previous years where the country sent the best three across the line and even included a wild card if circumstances allowed.

The government and federation officials later gave in to the athletes’demands for the trials to go on.Speakingto People Sport yesterday, Olympics 800m silver medallist Ferguson Rotich and women 800m World Champion Mary Moraa, wanted the National Sports Council, which is in charge of the games to increase the number of athletes from one to three.

“ We have trained and we are well prepared to carry our flag high, but what will a single athlete achieve if he or she is alone at a championship? This will also discourage upcoming athletes who are yetto compete in international races. We have to have them in the team otherwise we are going to be used as pacemakers by other countries. We urge the Ministry of Sports and Sports Council to come and listento us,” said Moraa. Her words were echoed by Doha World Championships bronze medallist, Rotich who said:

“I have represented this country several times andwe are the brand ambassadors of the country at any international event. I do not see the reason as to why we should have only oneathlete per event yet the Olympic Games and Africa Championships areahead of us. This means there is no space for young upcoming athletes. Some races like the 3,000m steeplechase are quite tactical and they needto work on their techniques if we are to deliver a medal in the ParisOlympics.”London2012 Olympics 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist and athlete representative Milcah Chemos, tried to reason and convince theathletes to compete as they worked on their grievances’ but it fellon deaf ears until they received an official communique from Athletics Kenya, accepting their demands.“

Athletes were invited from various Athletics Kenya regions and affiliates that include AK Defence Forces, AK National Police Service, AK Prisons Service, and AK Universities. We note that a number of them expressed their concerns relating to a limited number of slots for athletes to be selected. The morning session was delayed as we sought to address the issue,” read a statement from the Athletics Kenya Secretariat. The statement went on: “We are pleased to note that following AK consultation with the Ministry of Sports, the number of slots available shall be increased subject to the athletes meeting and qualification criteria for the games. AK technical team will work closely with the athletes during the trials to achieve the objective of selecting team Kenya as required.”