NAIROBI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Under-20 athletics team head coach Robert Ngisirei says his team will reclaim the overall title during the World Junior Championships in Tampere, Finland from July 10-15.
The team, which has moved to training camp in Nairobi will face a baptism by fire as new pretenders to the throne, Uganda and Qatar, scheme on best way to eat into their medal haul.
But Ngisirei noted that Kenya is working on new running tactics and hopes to sweep the medal table once again.
"We have some of the best young talent that has ever been. These athletes are pushing hard to even stamp their prowess on the seniors' carder and the World Junior Championships will be a big stage for them to reaffirm their prowess," said the coach, Thursday in Nairobi.
Two years ago in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Kenya ended up second behind the United States clinching 13 medals - four gold, four silver and five bronze.
Ethiopia followed with Cuba, Germany and Russia following in that order. But Ngisirei believes the stakes have changed and Kenya medal prospects will go beyond the middle and long distance races.
"We have top talent in field events and in the sprints. I believe they will give USA a hard time and we want to encourage them to do their best and secure their careers as sprinters," he added.
At the 2010 World Championships in Motcon, Canada, Kenya bagged 15 medals - seven gold, four silver and an equal number of bronze to top the medal table. Ngisirei wants his team to surpass this threshold.
However, he will have to wait longer to get the service of three of his top athletes. Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Celliphine Chepsol, World U-18 800m title holder Jackline Wamboi and Commonwealth Games silver medalist Edward Zakayo were all missing from the training camp. The trio are competing at the Kenya senior trials for the Africa Championships. They hope to make the team to the continental games, which will be held in Asaba, Nigeria from Aug. 1-5.
"They have every right to compete for their teams and seek qualification to Africa championships. They have all transitioned from youth to junior level and want to make the best of their circumstances. However, they will be back in camp from Sunday," said Ngisirei.
Kenya team is due to depart for Finland on July 5, four days before the championships.
