Athletics Kenya has officials declared its readiness for the 13th African Games after wrapping up a successful two-day trials to select the country’s track and field athletes for the tournament.
The trials, held at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi came to an end on Wednesday, determining the full contingent that will represent the nation’s famed athletics pedigree at the continental competition scheduled for March 8-23.
Despite earlier concerns over team sizes, Athletics Kenya was given a boost after securing an approval to increase its allocation of slots for the Accra trip, following a consultation with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.
But that is subject to the athletes meeting the qualification criteria for the games.
The trials witnessed intense competition as athletes pushed to cement their places in the final team headed for the multi-sport event’s first edition in Ghana.
While the final squad list was still being finalized, top stars like 800-metre world champion Mary Moraa. and National Champion Rukia Nusra are expected to spearhead the Kenyan charge after participating in the trials.
The African Games serve as an important qualifier for some athletics events at next year’s Paris Olympics, raising the stakes for Kenyan participants.
The 13th African Games are scheduled to take place from March 8th to March 23rd, 2024 in Accra, Ghana.
After a standout performance at the last African Games in Rabat in 2019, where they won 11 Gold, 10 Silver, 10 Bronze. Kenya will be looking to better its seventh-place finish on the medals table.
