NAIROBI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Michael Saruni will not be signing a contract to turn professional with Nike but is still keen to earn a slot in the Kenyan team heading to the Doha World Championships in 2019.
Saruni, who missed last year's World Championships under controversial circumstances, is a student in the USA and still has two years to finish his studies.
The 23-year-old, a student of at the University of Texas in El Paso, holds a fastest time of 1 minute 43 seconds in the 800m race, but faces a stiff challenge from a Kenyan field that boasts of over 20 runners who are eligible for the World Championships.
Saruni's coach Paul Ereng said his athlete will stick with his training camp for now. "Saruni has not signed a deal with Nike as was reported," he said on Wednesday.
In January, Saruni posted a 1:14.79 in Albuquerque in the 600m indoor race. His time took 0.12 off the world best that was previously held by Casimir Loxsom.
Saruni was overlooked for a slot in the Kenyan team for the London World Championships with Olympic champion David Rudisha and Ferguson Rotich selected.
His coach Ereng said he was disappointed. "Rudisha and Rotich have not won a single race this season. Saruni beat Rotich in the trials and I am wondering why they decided to drop Saruni. I am wondering why we should have trials and still don't stick to the results," said Ereng.
