Race walker Silvia Kemboi leads athletes' complaints over poor state of Thika stadium

Silvia Kemboi

ATHLETICS Race walker Silvia Kemboi leads athletes' complaints over poor state of Thika stadium

Abigael Wafula 16:00 - 12.03.2023

Steeplechaser Jackline Cherono also complained about the poor state of the stadium.

Africa race walk bronze medallist Silvia Kemboi has lamented over the bad state of Thika Stadium and highlighted it as one of the major challenges athletes face competing on the course there.

Kemboi noted that there was too much dust and the marram course was not favourable to her and fellow athletes.

“The course is bad and there was too much dust as we were competing,” she said.

Kemboi was participating in the 10,000m race walk at the third Athletics Kenya meet and she placed first in 52:41.1 ahead of Naom Chepkuru who was second in 54:27.1. Jecinta Mutheu settled for third place in 55:51.2.

The race walker noted that she will be looking to make her debut at the World Championships in Budapest.

Meanwhile, steeplechaser Jackline Cherono also complained about the poor state of the stadium despite winning the 3000m SC race in 11:15.90. She recounted that the race was not a walk in the park due to the unfavorable course. 

“The race has been hard because this course is not favourable,” she said.

Cherono also expressed her shock towards the low turnout of female athletes who were competing in the steeplechase. The start list had more than five women in the category but only four athletes turned up.

“I was expecting more than 15 athletes to come but I was shocked. However, I believe the low turnout has enabled me to win,” she said, adding that she is also eyeing a slot at the World Championships.

Related content