Kenya National Paralympics Commission (KNPC) named a team to the ninth edition of the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan International Para Athletics Grand Prix in Marakech, Morocco next week which will double up as double up as qualifiers for the IPC World Championships in New Delhi India later this year and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland..
Para athlete John Njoroge who won the continental title in 2023 in Tunisia believes he is in the right form to repeat the feat and also attain qualifying times for Commonwealth Games.
“I'll be participating in the 400m race T11 class and I'm going for nothing short of a win and also the qualifying time of 50.51,” Njoroge said.
He added: “I have been training hard since January when I started my season during the trials and my body has responded well. So now all I can say is that I'm ready for the challenge ahead and I'm raring to go.”
Sprints coach Michael Omondi in confident that the team will make an impact at the continental showpiece.
“There are no injuries in the team and we are ready for the competition. We have been concentrating on skills in these last days of training because we are going to face Champions in Morocco and there is no room for laxity. Today we were focusing on power training and take off of the athletes and I'm impressed,” Omondi said.
Kenya National Paralympics Commission (KNPC) Secretary General Stanley Mutuma also exuded confidence in the team and said the Association was sending 24 athletes and 14 officials for the championships that will double up as qualifiers for the IPC World Championships in New Delhi India later this year and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
“We want to increase the number of participants at key events. Today I have also handed over five wheelchairs to the team, two to be used for training and three for competitions to help horn our skills because we have been having outdated equipment for a long time,” Mutuma said.
Para Team...
Josephine Ashivaka (Women's Shot Put F40)
Erick Jabuto (Men's 100m T47)
Priscah Jepkemei (Women's 400m, 1500m T11) Guide runner Kenneth Lagat
Nathan Kemboi (Men's Shot Put and Javelin F46)
Brian Kimutai (Men's 100m, 400m, 1500m T47)
Ian Kipchumba (Men's 1500m T37)
Robert Kiprotich (Men's Javelin F46)
Joseph Kipchirchir (Men's 100m, 400m, 1500m T46)
Caren Korir (Women's 100m, 200m and Long Jump T47)
James Mangerere (Men's Shot Put and Javelin F57)
John Mukiri (Men's 100m, 200m, 400m T11)
Vincent Mutai (Men's 100m and Long Jump T46)
Samuel Kuria (Men's 100m, 400m, 1500m T54)
Alex Njeru (Men's 100m, Long Jump T12)
Stency Obonyo (Women's 100m, 200m T47)
Fredrick Ochieng (Men's Shot Put F41)
Sylvia Olero (Women's Shot Put, Discus Throw F44)
Wesley Sang (Men's 400m, 1500m T46)
Faosia Sifuna (Women's Shot Put, Discus Throw F44)
Caroline Wanjira (Women's 100m, 400m, 1500m T54)
Michelle Yegon (Discus Throw F57)