Byline: ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA

Former Gor Mahia forward Tito Okelo among players called by South Sudan coach Cusin for AFCON Qualifiers

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

South Sudan will play AFCON Qualifiers in Tanzania with former Gor Mahia forward Tito Okelo among the players called by South Sudan coach Stefano Cusin to prepare for AFCON Qualifiers clash with Congo Brazaville.

The Bright Stars’ coach Cusin, has called up a 39-man provisional squad ahead of Congo Brazzaville’s double header in AFCON qualifiers.

Coach Cusin’s men will hit camp on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in preparation for the forthcoming assignment.South Sudan will face the Congo Brazzaville side on March 23 at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat, Brazzaville with their return leg on March 27.Bright Stars will play their home fixture away in Dar es Salaam Tanzania due to the lack of a home stadium.Cusin will be looking for his first win in AFCON qualifiers.

South Sudan lost two games last year against Gambia and Mali.Bright Stars need to win at least two games if they are to have a chance to qualify for the continental show tournament. Cusin knows that the back to back clash against Congo Brazzaville will be a crucial assignment for his charges.

The gaffer has since summoned over 20 foreign-based players, including former Gor Mahia (Kenya) forward – Tito Okello.

Provisional Squad

Ramadan John of Malakia FC, Juba; Majak Mawith of Bentlegh Green Australia; Khamis Daniel of Atlabara FC, Juba; and Godwill Yugusuk of Kator FC, Juba were named as goalkeepers; Agwa Okuot of Brattvag II of Norway, Wani Ivan Adebo of Bull FC of Uganda, Peter Maker of ex-Zesco United of Zambia, Rashid Toha of Arua Hill of Uganda, Felix Abishai of Amarat-Juba, Ryan Jiba of Minnesota of the USA, Okallo Tito of Paykan-Iran, Dhata Joseph of Ugadan Express FC, and Manyumow Achol of FK, Many Aguek of Avondale Heights in Australia, Loki Emmanuel of Bright Star FC in Uganda, Valentino Yuel of Qatar’s Umm Salal SC, Dani Lual of MFK Vyskov in the Czech Republic, AI Naser FC of Sudan’s Peter Chol, Gerica Atendele from Arua Hill, Uganda, Calvary-Norman Uganda’s Lumumba, Jackson Morgan, of Perth, Western Australia, Raith Rovers’ William Akio, Scotland Kennedy Juma of FC Yei Mission, Inter Turku-Ryan Finland’s Mahuta, FC Juba Sarfino Nikson El Merreikh, Ajak Riak of Australia’s southern Melbourne; Victor Loturi of Scotland’s Ross County; and Bul James of Jubbaland’s Malakia FC.Others are: Bangazi Bakassoro of Kator FC-Juba, Mandela Malish of Atlabara FC-Juba, Joseph Loro of Munuki FC—Juba, Francis Okello of Amarat United-Juba, Mabior Mabior of Super Stars-Bor, Wani Shadrack of Malakia FC-Juba Rainbow Academy’s Paul Jawa, Al-Merriekh FC’s Joseph Malish, and Al-Naser FC’s Majak Mayor.

Usain Bolt loses $10 million in stock and security investment fraud

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Jamaica sprint legend Usain Bolt has fired his business manager of over 20 years after he reportedly lost a $10 million investment in a stock and security investment.

The four-time world champion is said to be growing increasingly fearful that he might not recover a good portion of the investment that he had hoped to access in his later years.

Bolt is said to be among 30 people who could lose in excess of $1.2 billion in investment fraud that his Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) in Jamaica.

The fraud, which is said to have involved some employees of the firm, came to Bolt’s attention over the weekend and only after he had asked for a meeting with the management. The company later went public about a massive fraud that is said to have left a balance of about just $2,000 in Bolt’s investment account.

“SSL has become aware of fraudulent activity by a former employee of the company,” the investment firm said in a statement quoted by Jamaican Observer.

Bolt who had an illustrious career that saw him scoop eight Olympic gold medals is said to have been fleeced by a wealth advisor.

On Monday, he fired his investment advisor – Norman Peart.

Sports News could not indecently verify whether that decision to part ways with his long-term financial advisor was related to missing funds.

“We have referred the matter to the relevant law enforcement authorities to facilitate a thorough and complete examination of all aspects of the matter.

“To ensure this, we have taken steps to secure those assets and strengthened internal protocols to detect suspicious activity in the shortest time possible.” The company also said it would “continue to liaise and cooperate fully with law enforcement throughout this investigation and ensure that the responsible party faces the full consequence of the law,” added SSL.

According to a source quoted by the Observer, SSL said it was aware of the fraud since August; however, the employee suspected of involvement was still employed by the company up to last Wednesday, just days before Bolt met the management after he requested a meeting last December.

By then, Bolt who has 1 11 World Championship golds, two silvers and one bronze in his medals collection, had reportedly noticed some discrepancies in his investment account.

It is not clear whether Bolt insured the funds. If not, then he might lose a big chunk of his investment.

Bolt reportedly opened the account in 2012, with about US$10 million, and he has never made any withdrawals ever since.

The observer source added that just $2,000 remains in the account.

Malawi Flames begins three-month prep ahead of clash with Egypt

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Malawi National team – the Flames, have kicked off preps ahead of a two-legged legged 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Egypt in March.

Flames will fly to Cairo for an encounter with the Pharaohs on 20 March in the first leg. They will then host the seven-time African champions seven days later, at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Coach Mario Marinica has already summoned 15 players, that include eight from Nyasa Big Bullets, to a three-month-long preparatory programme.

Nyasa players include Clever Mkungula, who was voted the club’s Best Goalkeeper of the just-ended 2022 season, Precious Sambani, the club’s vice-captain who also scooped the Best Defender, last season’s best player -Gomezgani Chirwa, Blessings Mpokera, Alick Lungu, Chiwemwe Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu, and new signing Chawanangwa Gumbo.

The no-residential programme will be exercised three times a week and will see the Flames players working out together at allocated fitness centres across the country.

The programme is intended to keep players in form during the extended league break.

Full squad on preparatory programme

South: Clever Mkungula, Gomezgani Chirwa, Blessings Mpokera, Alick Lungu, Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu, Precious Sambani (Nyasa Big Bullets); Stanley Sanudi, Chiukepo Msowoya, Gaddie Chirwa, Muhammed Sulumba, Miracle Gabeya, Yamikani Chester of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Chikoti Chirwa (Red Lions); Charles Thom, Nickson Mwase, Stain Davie (Silver FC); Lawrence Chaziya (unattached), Paul Ndlovu, Dan Chimbalanga (Mafco); Kelvin Kadzinje (Civil Service United); Micium Mhone, Gilbert Chirwa, Schumacher Kuwali and Brighton Munthali (Blue Eagles).

Ghana seeks ‘hand of God’ ahead of World Cup encounter with Suarez

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

The Black Stars will rest their fete with heavenly powers when they head to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this month.

Ghana are making a return to the games after missing the ticket to Russia, four years ago. The games are set to kick off on November 20.

Cameroon, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia are the other African respresentatives in Qatar.

But it is a 12-year-old memory of Luiz Suarez ‘unsportsmanlike’ behavior, that most Black Stars fans wil want to forget ahead of the ‘rematch’ on Decembber 2.

The continent watched helplessly as Uruguay shockingly eliminated Ghana, which was the last African team still standing at 2010 games, when Suarez’s ‘goalkeeping save’ spoilt the party.

Ghana needed to win the last group of 18 to progress to the quarters. Had they won, Ghana would have been the first African country to make it to the quarters. History was too close to be written until the then Liverpool forward, famous for bitting his opponents, did the unthinkable.

Suarez who was deep inside the net, blocked Asamoah Gyan’s header from a goalmouth melee, using both of his hands.

Despiet Suarez being shown a red card, Gyan’s spot kick hit the cross bar, sinking the hearts of Ghanian fans as the game headed for a shootout. Uruguay won 4-2 from the penalties.

But now Ghan hope that Suarez’s incident will not reocuurs in in Qatar.

Since their dramatic exit from the games, Ghana finished a disappointing 25th place in the next edition held in Brazanil (2014) then missed out on a trip to Russia in 2018.

Having finally secured a return ticket to the biggest football stage in the world, and Suarez’s memories still lingering on, the country will be seeking blessings from the deities when they arrive in Qatar.

The Ghana Football Association Tuesday announced that they will hold a prayer session for players, ostensibly to exorcise the bad omen, ahead of the games set to kick off on November 20.

“A church service will be held for the team on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at the Most Holy Trinity Cathedral Church in Accra… as we seek the favor and blessings of the Almighty God for the Black Stars ahead of the World Cup.” the federation said in a statement.

A non-denominational church service will be presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr Daniel S.M Torto, Anglican Bishop of Accra Diocese.

The service will be mandatory for all GFA Executive Council members, Staff of the association across the regions, the Black Stars technical team and management committee members.

“The GFA is also inviting the various supporters’ groups and the general public cordially to be a part of this solemn event,” added the statement seen by sports News.

Ghana will open their group H match against Portugal on November 24, then take on South Korea four days later. They will face Uruguay, the very team that controversially knocked them out in South Africa, on December 2.

Suarez was named in Diego Alonso’s 55-man provisional longlist for Qatar.

Kenya to send five triathletes to high performance camp in Zimbabwe

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Kenya has entered seven athletes to the Africa Triathlon Cup, Junior Cup, to be staged in Troutbeck, Zimbabwe, on September 25.

The five of the seven juniors will have a rare chance to undergo high-performance training in Zimbabwe.

The a-week-long training camp that will take part at the conclusion of the point-earning championship, is sponsored by the World Triathlon (WT).

The five include Josette Njeri and Joseph Okal who are the top-ranked male and female triathletes in Kenya with 609 and 509 points respectively.

Others are Trevor Mwamisi, John Paul Makona and Joshua Okal.

The five will also have a chance to take part at the Africa Triathlon Junior Cup to be staged in Troutbeck, Zimbabwe, on September 25.

The Okal brothers (Joseph, Jesse and Joshua), are the grandchildren of legendary Kenyan runner Kipchoge Keino.

“We were given four slots (two male and two female) but because this is a self-sponsored trip, just one female (Josette) registered. But we wrote Africa Triathlon to allow us to send three males and one female and they were so kind to give us even an extra slot. Kenya actually has the biggest number of participants in Africa,” said Kenya Triathlon Federation secretary-general Salonik Ole Koyiet.

Kenya coach Alfan Mwanyika will also have the chance to attend the camp with team manager Joyceline Nyambura.

Kenya will also field two Under-23 players Soud Hassan Soud and Jesse Okal at the Africa Cup which will act as a point-earning event.

Jesse and Soud Hassan Soud is the highest-ranked U23 Athlete with 631 points.

The camp, that will run from September 26 to October 2, is fully funded by the World Triathlon (WT) though athletes will have to cater for their air travel expenses.

Meanwhile, KTF will hold a one day national trial for the Africa Duathlon Championship on Saturday, September 11.

The sprint distance (5km run, 20km bike and 2.5km run) event will be staged at the Tatu City with the top athletes earning an automatic ticket to the continental championship to be staged in Namibia, Windhoek, from October 15-17.

Under 23 athletes

Soud Hassan Soud

Jesse Okala

Junior athletes -male

Joseph Okal

John Paul Makona

Joshua Okal

Trevor Mwamisi

Junior athletes -female

Josette Njeri

Jane Wacu and Co breathe life in Kenya’s squad despite a shaky start at Tokyo Olympics

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

The Kenya women’s volleyball team will step out in desperate search for a maiden victory at the Olympics when they take on the Dominican Republic on Friday.

Though they have lost all the opening two group matches, Malkia Strikers’ improved performance in Tokyo has dominated spaces in the local media.

Kenya went down by straight sets (25-15 25-11 25-23) in the opening match against host Japan at the Ariake Arena on Sunday.

The subsequent Group ‘A’ tie ended 3-0 (24-14, 25-22 and 26-24) in favour of Korea.

But while the East Africans, ranked top in the continent are still waiting for a miraculous first victory at the Summer Games, as a group, individual brilliant performances have been witnessed from the Kenyan side that is in a tough group consisting of reigning European and world champions Serbia, two-time Olympic champions Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Japan and Korea.

Serbia are also the 2016 Olympic silver medalists.

Jane Wacu

Wacu finally made it to the Olympics after four previous failed attempts.

Having played at the FIVB World Cup, World Championship and World Grand Prix, which she won in 2015, and now Olympic, Wacu will go down as one of the greatest Kenyan female volleyball players in history.

The colourful setter who is among the most experienced players in the Kenyan setup, has dazzled with individual displays, especially in the last two sets against Japan.

Interestingly, despite putting a good performance in Japan, Wacu, Kenya’s volleyball poster girl, had not played competitive volleyball since March 2019.

Wacu is based in Seychelles, a country that banned all sporting activities following the outbreak of Covid-19 almost two years ago. She plays for Anse Royale Club.

Despite having made it clear that she might hang her sneakers after Tokyo, Wacu, a career Prisons wardress back in Kenya, is having her best moments in her sunset days on the court.

Sharon Chepchumba

Blessed with physique and power, the KCB player is among the star players in the Kenyan squad.

A gamble by Italian tactician Shailen Ramdoo to move Chepchumba across the net; from her favourite left to the right, seems to have paid off if her performance in Tokyo is anything to go by.

Chepchumba played second fiddle to captain Mercy Moim, whom she had been battling for a place in the starting line up until Ramdoo, came with the magic wand.

Ramdoo, who was seconded to Kenya by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) had a short stint with the team in 2019 before he was let go following the arrival of coach Paul Bitok from Rwanda.

In the match against Japan, for example, Chepchumba scored an unprecedented 18 points, including 11 in the last set.

Leonida Kasaya

She is among the shortest players in the Kenyan squad, standing at just 168 centimeters but Kasaya has won the hearts of many for her patriotism and dedication.

If you watched her play her heart out in the defeats to Japan and Korea, you would be forgiven to think that she is among the happiest players who are enjoying the ambiance of a foreign country.

The truth of the matter is that Kasaya knows that she will head straight to her rural home when she finally jets back to Kenya to mourn her elder sister who passed away just a day before the official start of the Olympics.

“l had planned to see you when I come back home. You wished me well and instructed me to represent the country well, little did I know that those were the last word I will hear from you,” Kasaya paid tribute to her departed sister.

Kenya will take on the Dominican Republic in the third group match on Friday.

John Paul, Josette Njeri top performers at Africa Zone 2 and 4 Triathlon Championship

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

John Paul and Josette Njeri anchored team Triathlon 001 to a first place finish in the mixed relay of the Africa Zone 2 and 4 Triathlon Championship in Watamu, Kilifi County, Kenya.

The duo dominated the two-day championship that kicked off with the elite and age group competition on Saturday before it concluded yesterday.

Running with the elites, John Paul and Josette won their respective age group (under-23) men and women categories, respectively. The duo also won the overall winners’ awards.

But it was the final day that they exhibited their athleticism.

Team Triathlon 001 from Mombasa County that was made up of 14-year-old Iman Kaiza, Soud Hassan, who cheated death barely two weeks ago, John Paul and Josette, the top ranked Kenyan female athlete in the junior category.

Iman had a poor start after the first round, coming last in the swim, bike and run. But her teammates made up for the lost time with both individual and team performances.

John Paul brought his team back into contention for the top medal when he caught up with the leaders to place third in the second lap before handing over to Josette.

Josette, who is set to join a medical school in South Africa later in the year, then beat Brenda Bwire for second place after a strong swim on the mid morning choppy waters at the Turtle Bay Resort beach.

She pushed her bike to the limits before catching up with the leader Vivian Hillier whom she bested in the under-23 event on Saturday.

She then handed over to Soud who is still recovering from a car accident after he was hit by a motorist during one of his cycling practice in the build up to this event.

Njeri, who started racing professionally three years ago, also has her eyes on the 2028 Olympics.

“This place is challenging. The sea here is choppy and there was a lot of head and tailwind in the cycling. It was quite an experience because this is my first competitive race since June,” added Josette who took part at the Africa Triathlon Championship in Egypt last month.

Team Multi Sport Stars that consisted of Bwire, Ted Mwatha, Deya Shah and Trevor Kasongo finished second ahead of Team MileAid (Susan Wanjala, William Nanjero, Gloria Kisiangani and Jesse Okal) that settled for third place.

Meanwhile, Hillier beat Deya Shah for the women’s age group medal while Kaiza settled for third. Joshua Okal and Mark Bifuoli took the first two positions in the men’s category.

The event was organised by the Kenya Triathlon Federation under the watchful eyes of the World Triathlon instructor Retief Freysen of South Africa.

Josette Njeri and John Paul win Africa Zone 2 and 4 Triathlon Championship

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Josette Njeri, the top ranked Kenya’s female junior triathlete, and compatriot John Paul overcame a strong challenge in the choppy waters at Watamu beach front to win the Africa Zone 2 and 4 Triathlon Championship held on Saturday.

Watamu is Kenya’s sports tourism capital, a name that it lived up to after hosting a successful double zonal continental event, a first of a kind in the country.

The event that was held at the Turtle Bay Beach Resort attracted 22 participants.

The athletes battled a tough 750m of choppy waters and strong winds on the 20km cycling section.

It’s on the run, the relatively flat route was kind to the athletes who battled to recover the lost time amidst cheers from a passionate crowd that graced the championship.

Among the participants was Soud Hassan. Just two weeks ago Soud cheated death in a grisly car accident but he still managed to grab a podium finish with a third place finish behind Paul and Joseph Okal.

Soud who is targeting a place in Team Kenya to the 2022 Commonwealth Games was hit by a car while training for the event but he never lost hope despite sustaining serious injuries on his neck and knees.

“Swimming was the biggest challenge for me because today I still have fresh wounds. I couldn’t push hard enough,” said Soud who was using the event as part of his preparation for the Commonwealth Games in 2020.

“I recently had an accident during one of the cycling races. I was thrown in the air after being hit by a car. I sustained a serious neck injury, bruises on the knees and shoulder so it wasn’t easy for me today, especially in the swim, but I’m grateful I finished the race.”

Njeri who started racing professionally three years ago has also her eyes on the 2028 Olympics.

“This place is challenging. The Sea here is choppy and there was a lot of head and tail wind while cycling. It was quite an experience because this is my first competitive race since June,” added Josette who took part at the Africa Triathlon Championship in Egypt last month.

She was followed by 15-year-old Vivian Hillier of Mombasa and Gloria Kisiangani, who was representing Nairobi, for position two and three in that order.

John Paul beat his closest challenger by almost 500m in a race where most of the participants made amends in the 5km run.

Kisumu-based Joseph Okal came second.

The event was organized by the Kenya Triathlon Federation under the watchful eyes of the World Triathlon instructor Retief Freysen of South Africa.

It’s all systems go as Kenya hosts maiden zonal Africa Triathlon Championship

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Josette Njeri and William Nanjero will be among the athletes to beat at this weekend’s Africa Zone 2 and 4 Triathlon Championship in Kenya’s coastal toen of Watamu in Kilifi County.

The event, a first of its kind to be staged in Kenya, has attracted a significant number of entries despite the travel challenges.

Charles Ndayikengurukiye, Nsabindmyi Abdallah and Dieudonne Niyonima, the Burundian trio who had to go back to Bujumbura, after they failed to get transport in Tanzania are still on the start list released by the organisers Friday.

The elite men and women’s events will officially start at 9am, followed by the family relay two hours later.

Most of these athletes have to put to test the skills picked after a two-day technical training course that was conducted by experienced World Triathlon instructor Retief Freysen.

The South African, who boasts over 50 years experience in sport and has run in 117 marathons as a fun athlete, took his students through the bicycle and route safety measure on his final training session.

The workshop was held at the Turtle Bay Beach Resort in Watamu.

This will be the first major race to be hosted in Kenya since 2019. Kenya Triathlon Federation (KTF) last held the national Duathlon championship in 2019 before Covid-19 disrupted sports in Kenya from March 2020.

Jesette who celebrated her 18th birthday last March says she will use the championship to gauge her fitness level having last taken part in a major championship in Egypt last month.

The elite men and women under -23 events will cover 750m swim, 20km cycling and 5km running. The family relay will see participants tackle 250m (swim), 3km (cycling) and 1.5km in the endurance race.

Full entry list

Charles Ndayikengurukiye (Burundi), Paul Makona, Nsabindmyi Abdallah (Burundi), Thomas Bifwoli, Dieudonne Niyonima (Burundi), Soud Hassan, Victor Telo, Ismail Hussein, Ted Mwatha, Jesse Okal, Joseph Okal, Jimmy Otieno, Trevor Kasongo, Collins Jerry, Stephen Nyoike, William Nanjero, Yvonne Muinde, Vivian Wairimu, Sussy Wanjala, Brenda Bwire, Jesette Njeri, Gloria Oduori.

Triathlon: Africa on right track, says expert

Posted on by <a href="https://www.sportsnews.africa/byline/elvince-joshua-sports-africa/" rel="tag">ELVINCE JOSHUA - SPORTS AFRICA</a>

Africa will soon join the world’s best triathlon nations, says World Triathlon Technical officer Retief Freysen.

The South African is currently in Kenya for a week-long skill-transfer assignment with the IT expert and former prison warder training new technical officials

Kenya is currently laying out a strong foundation to popularize the sport among the youth with the long-term plan to qualify athletes to the 2024 Summer Olympics.

No African country has ever won an Olympic gold in triathlon.

“Africans have the endurance gene. They can run and cycle. The only area that needs some work is swimming because not everyone can swim but I think we will soon catch up with the rest. I like what Senegal are doing,” says Freysen.

“A few years back, I would travel to some countries and people would be shocked when you mentioned triathlon, but right now more countries are starting to embrace the sport.”

Triathlon, a multi-discipline sport combining swimming, running and cycling, has for a long time been perceived as a rich man’s sport, something Kenya Triathlon Federation (KTF) wants to change

KTF president Joyceline Nyambura says the body plans to send the newly trained officials to the grassroots level where they will help the sport grow.

While Freysen agrees that the sport has a slightly higher cost implication, he debunks the notion that having the most expensive of equipment will guarantee the best results.

“Save your money,” Freysen told his students in an interactive session in Watamu, a coastal town about 560km south east of Nairobi.

“Sometimes I see people spend as much as $1000-3000 on a kid’s bike and within no time the child has outgrown the bike and you need to find a new one. What you need is a good tyre for grip,” said the tutor.

Kenya is gearing up to host her first Africa Zone 2 and 4 Triathlon Championship this coming weekend in Watamu’s Turtle Bay Resort.

Kenya’s top-ranked junior triathlete Josette Njeri is among the 30 athletes who will battle for the two zonal gongs along the sandy white beaches of Watamu.

Other local participants include Sussy Wanjala and Brenda Bwire, 19-year-old Joseph Okal and William Nanjero, all who are fresh from participating at the Africa Triathlon Championship in Egypt.

Okal is currently under the World Triathlon Development Support Programme.

Neighbouring athletes from Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected in Mombasa on Friday ahead of the elite championship on Saturday.

Burundi pulled out of the event Thursday after their delegation was forced to cut off their journey. This is after the team failed to get a connecting bus in Tanzania after arriving at the border with Tanzania past midnight.

“Our team could not cross the Tanzanian border last night because it was already closed. They missed the bus to Mwanza this morning and were forced to wait until Thursday morning and even attempts to have them cross using small cars did not bear fruit. We regrettably wish to announce that they are coming back to back Bujumbura,” the Burundi Triathlon Federation said in a statement to their Kenyan counterparts.

Night travel is prohibited in Tanzania.

Other than the elite race, there will be the under-23, age groups, family and team relay events.

The elite men and women under -23 events will cover 750m swim, 20km cycling and 5km running while the family relay (250m (swim), 3km (cycling) and 1.5km will take place on Saturday.

LATEST POSTS

LET'S TALK

RECOMMENDED SITES