Kenya picks team for World Blind Games

30 athletes have qualified to represent Kenya at the fourth edition of the International Blind Sports Federation World Championship and Games set for Antalya, Turkey.

The event is scheduled for 1-11 April.

The athletes attained the minimum qualifying standards during the inaugural National Blind Games held last weekend at the Nyayo Stadium.

In the Kenya Sports Association for the Visually Impaired organized trials 22 men and six women from a field of 150 qualified in athletics while two swimmers also hit the qualifying mark.

Among the qualifiers are Triple Beijing Paralympics games gold medalist Henry Kirwa, Beijing Paralympics games silver medalist Francis Thuo and Samuel Muchai, all silver medalists at the recently held International Paralympics Committee IPC world championships in Christchurch New Zealand.

The Visually Impaired Association is hoping for Government funding and corporate support to compete at the event, which will serve as a qualification event for the London 2012 Paralympics Games.

At the IPC World Championship 8 athletes, 1 woman and seven men, qualified for the London Games.

However the IPC ratio is 1:3, which means only one woman and three Kenyan athletes have so far qualified for next year’s Paralympics Games.

Kenyan squad:

1      Henry Kirwa                           T12   5000m     

2      Joseph   Lomong                    T12   5000m        

3      Emmanuel  Asinikal              T12   5000m, 1500m      

4      David  Bore                            T13   5000m, 10,000m    

5      Simon Ekidor                        T13   5000m, 10,000m

6      Mohammed Hassan               T13   5000m

7      Emmanuel  Cheriyot                T11   5000m, 10,000m 

8      Francis   Thuo                           T11   5000m, 10,000m

9      Eric  Sang                             T11   5000m, 800m     

10     Rogers  Kiprop            T11  5000m, 1500m,10,000m 

11     Eliud  Kipyego                           T12   1500m , 800m  

12     Duncan   Cheruiyot                 T12   1500m,  800m   

13     David  Korir                             T13   1500m ,  800m  

14     John Phegon                            T13   800m,1500m     

15     Samuel Muchai                       T11  1500m,  800m     

16     Henry Nzungi                      T12  400m, 200m, 100m 

17     Zakayo   Kamau                 T12  400m,200m    

18     Antony  Bore                          T13   10,000m   

19     Julius  Kipkoskei                     T12   10,000m   

20     Samuel Kenei                         T2     10,000m   

21     Emma  Cheptanui                  T12   5000m, 1500m    

22     Nelly Nasimuyu                     T12   1500m, 800m    

23     Nelly  Chelimo                        T 11 1500m,  T11  800m 

24     Ann Ngendo                           T12   200m, 400m      

25     Mercy Chelangat                    T11   800m

26     Geoffrey Rono                        F11   Javeline    

27     Gilbert Korio                          F11   Javeline    

28     Lenaola  Pamela                     F12   Javeline    

29     Michael   Lunat                      S12   Swimming  100m

30     James  Njoroge               S11 Swimming  100m      

 Sportsnewsarena Correspondent

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