National trials for the African Games hit a roadblock after athletes staged a protest at Nyayo Stadium against the selection criteria set for the continental championships in Accra, Ghana.
The trials, originally planned for Tuesday, March 5 and Wednesday, March 6 have been delayed as athletes’ express discontent over the decision to select only one athlete per category, deeming it unfair.
The athletes are adamant that the top three finishers in each competition should be chosen to provide more opportunities, especially for emerging talents.
Commonwealth Games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal voiced his support for a more inclusive selection process, emphasizing the importance of considering upcoming athletes and fairness in decision-making.
“It has to be number one, two and three being picked for the games. We should be considerate of the upcoming athletes as well.” he noted.
“Personally, I wouldn’t mind giving my slot to a young athlete but let’s be fair with the selection criteria.”
Kenya National Sports Council Intervenes
Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC) official Andrew Mudibo while speaking at the same event urged the athletes to formalize their demands by drafting a petition to present to Athletics Kenya (AK).
Mudibo outlined a process where AK would then escalate the petition to the government for further consideration.
“Afterwards, they (AK) will present it to us and then we will present it to the government to see what can be done,” Mudibo explained.
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Prior Announcement on the Athletes Selection Criteria
This development follows AK’s announcement on Thursday February 29, that only one athlete per category would represent Kenya at the upcoming games due to limited slots allocated to athletics in Team Kenya’s contingent.
In the announcement the AK Vice President Paul Mutwi said “KNSC has given the federation just 30 slots. This is due to budgetary constraints. The team will be accompanied by five officials.”
During the previous edition of the event in 2019, Kenya managed to send 61 athletes who represented the country well and jetted back with 20 medals (10 gold, 7 silver, and 3 bronze).
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Athletics Kenya explained that other sports disciplines like boxing have also been given a limited number hence they could not ask for more slots.
The standoff underscores a clash between athletes and sports authorities over the selection criteria, with implications for the representation of Kenya at the 13th edition of the African Games.
As tensions rise and negotiations unfold, the outcome of this dispute will shape the participation of Kenyan athletes in this prestigious continental event.
