Kenya challenged to diversify into other sports

The Principal Secretary State Department for Culture and Heritage in the Ministry of Sports and Heritage Josephta Mukobe has challenged sports administrators to invest in other sports other than athletics.

She said Kenya has been relying on athletics for medals during international championships, but it is time to diversify and focus on other sports.

During the 24th Summer Deaflympics in Caxias Do Sul in Brazil, Kenya won 23 medals in athletics and one historic one in golf which was won by Isaac Makokha.

Kenya finished the championship 11^th overall and first in Africa.

“Just like the other Olympics, Kenya only wins med- als in athletics while other countries win medals in swimming, basketball, field events, and other disciplines which gives them a lot of medals. Lessons we have learnt is that we should diversify into other sporting areas,” she said.

She added:

“We should not concentrate on athletics alone. If we are diverse, we can get more medals.” .

The PS further said the government is ready to support in building the capacity of Deaf Sports Associations.

“There is a need to build the capacity of Deaf federations and if we are asked as a government, we shall support,” said Mukobe.

Meanwhile the first batch consisting of 14 medalists is expected to arrive Wednesday night while the second and third batches are set to arrive on Thursday morning.

KENYA’S MEDAL COUNT

GOLD

1.Men’s Steeplechase Lucas Wandia Wanjiru.

2.Men’s 10000m Simon Cherono Kibai.

3.Men’s 5000m Simon Cherono Kibai.

4.Men’s 1500m Ian Wambui Kahinga.

5.Men’s 800m Elikana Kiprop Rono

SILVER

6. Mix 4X400 Relay (George Waweru Muthee,

Linet Fwamba Nanjala, Beryl Atieno Wamira

and Isaac Atima Tongi).

7. Men’s 10000m- Peter Toroitich.

8. Women’s 10000m-Serah Wangari Kimani.

9. Women’s 1500m- Sharon Jeptarus Bitok.

10.Men’s 5000m- Ian Wambui Kahinga.

11.Women’s 800- Sharon Jeptarus Bitok.

12. Women 4×400 Relay (Beryl Atieno Wamira,

Linet Fwamba Nanjala, Pamela Atieno Atieno,

Sharon Bitok Jeptarus)

BRONZE

13.Men’s 10000m- David Kipkogei.

14. Women’s 10000m- Grancy Kendagor.

15. Men’s Javelin- Kelvin Kipkogei.

16. Women’s 400m – Linet Fwamba Nanjala.

17. Men’s Golf- Isaac Ogolla Makokha.

18. Men’s Steeplechase- Peter Omari Kokobi.

19. Women’s Steeplechase- Ann Njoki Wangeci.

20.Women’s 200m- Beryl Atieno Wamira.

21.Women’s 4x100m Relay (Beryl Atieno

Wamira,Rael Achieng Wamira, Anzazi Chaka

Nyundo and Linet Fwamba Nanjala).

22.Women’s 800m -Rebecca Matiko.

23.Women’s 5000m -Grancy Kendagor.

24.Men’s 4x400m Relay (Simon Menza Gona,

Charles Muthama Mwema, George Waweru

Muthee, Isaac Atima Tongi).