Kiplagat confident ahead of Prisons championships

World 1500m silver medalist Silas Kiplagat will lead the Kenya Prisons squad during the trials this weekend to pick its squad for the national Athletics championships at the Nyayo National stadium .

Kiplagat who is also the reigning Commonwealth Games champion will be among the Prisons sqad loooking to bag tickets for the Kenyan championships with a view of booking his ticket to the London Olympic Games that begins on July 27.

Besides Kiplagat there will be seasoned Thomas Longosiwa who has set his eyes on a second career olympics in the 5000m after his 12th place finish in Beijing, Africa 400m Bronze medalist Maureen Chelangat, two time national high and long  jump champion Tera Langat among others

Kiplagat has had a good start to the season winning the two miles race one mile race in New York where he beatKenyan born American Bernard Lagat  which he followed up with a similar win at the Arkansas one mile.

Kiplagat who plans to take part in the first Diamond league race next week in Doha, has set his sights on the Prisons title to boost his chances of making the Kenyan olympics team.

"I will take the race seriously just like any other race. My main agenda will be to run my specialty (1500) in under 3.30 and if possible take the Prison title from Jonathan Komen, " said Kiplagat.

The Kenya Prison head coach, Gideon expects a competitive championships as athletes look to book their tickets to the national trials to select teams for Africa Athletics and ultimately the Olympics.

 "We want as many of our athletes as possible  to make it to the Olympics team therefore, this year's game are going to be very tough and more comparative as compared to the last editions," said Chirchir.

Kenya Prison Training College will also enter the championships as a 'Province' bringing the total number of participating Provinces to nine.

The Commissioner of Prison, Isaiah Osugo who also doubles as the Kenya Darts National Chairman urged the athletes to give their best during the trials which received a boost Tuesday from various corporates headed by Safaricom with a Ksh  200,000 donation.

The games will also incorporate darts which will be taking place at the Kenya Prison Training College with the final set for Thursday.

Elvince Joshua

© All rights reserved