Athletics Kenya name team for World Relays with one major goal in mind

Athletics Kenya has named a formidable team led by Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and World 800m champion Mary Moraa to the World Athletics Relay in Nassau, Bahamas which is scheduled for Saturday 4 to Sunday 5 May.

This comes after the conclusion of the national trials that were held at the Nyayo National Stadium today, Saturday, April 6. Omanyala will lead the 4x100m relay team as they seek to qualify for the Olympic Games scheduled for later this year.

The Commonwealth Games 100m champion was in a class of his own as he destroyed the strong field to anchor his team to victory. He will enjoy the company of former national champion Mark Otieno, Hesborn Ochieng, and Mike Mokamba. Others who have been included in the team include Meshack Babu and Samuel Chege.

The 4x400m men's charge will be led by National 400m champion, Zablon Ekwam, who has been in great form so far this season as he targets to qualify for the Olympic Games.

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Ekwam will be joined by National 400m Hurdles champion Wiseman Were and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Boniface Mweresa. David Sanayek and Brian Tenega have also been included in the team with Moitalel Nandokila and Kelvin Kipkorir also joining Ekwam in the 4x400m team as well as Kennedy Kimeu and Nathaniel Kipngetich.

Moraa, the Commonwealth Games 800m champion will lead the 4x400m relay team after a scintillating run to showcase her skills one more time at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Moraa will enjoy the company of compatriots Mercy Chebet, Jackline Nanjala, and Joan Cherono. Veronica Mutua, Vanice Kerubo, and Maureen Thomas, Moraa’s training mate have also made the cut to the team. Youngster Diana Chebet will also join the senior athletes in the Bahamas for the 4X400m relay team.

Speaking during the naming of the team, Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei expressed confidence that the team would impress in the Bahamas. He also urged the athletes to work smart and ensure they qualify for the Olympic Games since that is the main goal this season.

“We believe that you are going to qualify for the Olympics because that's the most important thing. We have given you the officials and we want to wish you well…always remember that anything with the title world is not a simple thing.

“I hope that you are going for the World relays, you will do equally well as the cross-country team. Another challenge is about documentation and please let us follow the instructions since we have a very short time to ensure that everything is done properly. Let us prepare well,” Tuwei said.

4×400m men

Zablon Ekwam

Wiseman Were

David Sanayek

Boniface Mweresa

Brian Tenega

Moitalel Nadokila

Kelvin Kipkorir

Nathaniel Kipngetich

Kennedy Kimeu

4×100m men's team

Meshack Baabu

Mark Otieno

Ferdinand Omanyala

Samuel Chege

Mike Mokamba

Hesbon Ochieng

4×400 women team

Mary Moraa

Mercy Chebet

Jackline Nanjala

Joan Cherono

Veronica Mutua

Vanice Kerubo

Maureen Thomas

Gladys Jepkemboi

Diana Chebet