Athletics Kenya (AK) has released a statement in regard to the VISA hitch that occasioned sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala’s delayed travel to Eugene, Oregon for the World Championships held in the USA.
In a statement released on Monday, July 18, AK distanced itself from claims that the body prioritized the travel of government officials and other joy riders for the games.
The Jackson Tuwei-led society further said that preparations for the games began way back and that the Ministry of Sports was not involved in the travelling arrangements of athletes and other officials.
“Athletics Kenya engaged an external expert firm to process visa applications for the travelling delegation to ensure a smooth process without challenges. Athletics Kenya did not engage the Ministry during these initial visa applications,” Tuwei said in a statement.
AK further says that each athlete was issued the requisite travel documents on July 9th save for Omanyala who had some issues to iron out with the US embassy.
According to AK, Omanyala was required to fill in an additional form to clarify some issues. This led to the delay in his departure and eventually the saga that saw him arrive in the US hours before his first race.
“The rest were issued with their visas two days later while Omanyala’s passport was not released. We were informed that he needed to fill an additional form referred to as supplementary questions for visa applicants, to verify some facts,” the statement read in part.
On claims that 32 joyriders were given the opportunity to travel with the athletes, AK said that only three government officials left Kenya for the USA and that they were among the contingent of 80 members representing team Kenya.
“Allegations that persons other than athletes and support personnel illegally travelled to Oregon are false and unsubstantiated. Athletics Kenya hopes that this statement will set the record straight as a true account of the status of the Kenyan delegation in Oregon.”
Omanyala came fifth during the semis and failed to qualify for the finals which were won by USA’s Fred Kerley whom Omanyala beat this year at the Kipkeino Classics.
