Athletics Kenya chair for youth development Barnaba Korir/ TEDDY MULEI Athletics Kenya youth development chair Barnaba Korir has confirmed that more than 200 athletes have been invited for the World Under-20 Trials scheduled for May 21-23 at Nyayo National Stadium.
The trials will be used to select Team Kenya for the World Athletics U20 Championships set for August 2-9 in Eugene.
Speaking on Friday at Riadha House, Korir said the trials will strictly be by invitation as the federation seeks to assemble a disciplined and competitive squad for the championships.
“We are not having an open championship where anyone can just come and compete. We have identified athletes who will come to compete,” said Korir.
He revealed that the invited athletes were selected through a rigorous vetting process aimed at identifying the country’s top emerging talent.
“We have invited more than 200 athletes for the trials based on a strict criteria,” he said.
Korir noted that the majority of the athletes were drawn from standout performers at the National Term One School Games held in Kisumu in April.
“The majority of our invited athletes are from the concluded National Term One Games in Kisumu,” he added.
The AK official further disclosed that invited athletes were required to comply with strict anti-doping regulations and documentation requirements in a move aimed at eliminating age manipulation.
“We have been given strict regulations we need to observe in matters of doping and proper documentation,” he said.
Korir confirmed that World Athletics has intensified efforts to curb age cheating in global junior competitions, forcing federations to adopt tighter verification measures.
“We are still under scrutiny on age manipulation so we need to ensure everyone is vetted. Currently, it’s not only birth certificates and passports, there are also other requirements we have been given by
World Athletics,” he explained.
From the trials, only two athletes per event will secure slots on the Kenyan team, with the federation targeting a squad of about 36 athletes for Eugene.
“From the trials, the first athlete to cross the line will be automatically selected provided they have met all World Athletics and anti-doping requirements,” said Korir.
“The second athlete will be selected by a panel of judges.”
“We will select two athletes per event so the team projection is about 36 athletes,” he added.
Once the team is named, the athletes’ details will be forwarded to World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit for further scrutiny on age eligibility and anti-doping compliance.
“After we select the athletes, World Athletics and AIU will also scrutinise the list to ensure all athletes are good,” he said.
Korir stressed the importance of fielding a strong team capable of competing for medals on the global stage.
“We want to have a very strong team. We want to prepare well so that we can send a team that will not just participate but fight for glory,” he noted.
“The competition nowadays is very tight, not only from our neighbours but also from teams across the world. We have to be ready for competition.”
He also urged Kenyan fans to turn up in large numbers to support the young athletes during the trials.
“I urge Kenyans to come on board to give our athletes maximum support and cheer them on,” he said.
