Barnaba Korir: Why the Africa U18/20 Championships are important for the youngsters

Athletics Kenya Nairobi Region chair Barnaba Korir has revealed that Africa Under 18/20 championships will be used as a buildup ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics and other major events.

Korir said the federation seeks to ensure that the juniors are prepared to have a smooth transition to the senior category and shine in it as well.

“We are thinking of the Olympics next year and beyond," Korir told KBC Sport.

We want the athletes to be ready for major championships come next year including the Olympics and the 2025 World Championships. This is a long-term program so that we have continuous availability of competitors."

The continental show is scheduled for April 29 to May 3 in Lusaka, Zambia. The youngsters have been in residential training at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani under the tutelage of the national junior team head coach, Robert Ngisirei.

The youngsters will be keen to represent the country well and retain the Under-18 title they won during the 2019 edition at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

In the Under-20 category, the Kenyan youngsters will seek to win the title after placing second in the 2019 edition behind South Africa. The juniors are set to leave the country for the showpiece on Thursday, April 27.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the Kip Keino Classic Competitions scheduled for May 13 are bubbling with confidence ahead of hosting a world class event.

It was noted that the organisers are set to announce more than 10 elite athletes who have confirmed participation with multiple Olympic champion Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce being part of the athletes.

“We want to continue going in that direction to give our athletes to have an opportunity to compete with other elite athletes,” Korir added.