Omanyala says he will compete in fewer races ahead of Paris Games

Team Visa, Eva Ngigi, Country Manager with Ferdinand Omanyala and models when the African champion was unveiled as a Visa athlete on November 23, 2023 at Ulinzi Sports Complex. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Africa 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala believes the changes in has made in his management ahead of busy athletics season will bare fruits with an eye on glory at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Omanyala who was initially working with coach Duncan Ayiemba has since started working with Geoffrey Kimani as he gears up for the Olympic Games.

"The last two years I was not fully professional, but now I have fully professionalized my management. This season you will not see me in many races. Locally I will only race in three races, the rest will be selected Diamond League races. The season has started well, it's now three weeks training with my new coach, I hope for a season of faith."

The 27-year-old, believes breaking the African record still stands out as one of his memorable events alongside winning Commonwealth Games gold medal which came after his travel woes to the World Championships in Oregon last year.

Omanyala's manager South Africa's Marcel Viljoen said: "We want to be selective with events in the new season to ensure Omanyala gets to Olympics in top shape, it won't be like last season where he had many races. It's a well planned season that will ensure he gets a top medal in 2024 season.

Omanyala and his manager spoke yesterday as the Africa record holder he was unveiled by Visa Global as one of the 117 athletes in the world who have joined the worldwide payment technology, which is a partner of the Olympics.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba who graced the event called upon athletes to embrace corporate partnership in order to exploit their talent further away from track.

"The only sustainable way of getting more funds into sports is cooporate sponsorships and partnerships, and we continue calling on corporate companies to support the growth of sports," Ababu said.

"It's a big win for Omanyala to partner with Visa Global, we are calling on more companies to get into sports not only for athletics but in rugby, football and all other sports. Athletics is top brand for Kenya and athletes need to exploit, explore and engage with corporate world, that's the only way athletes can expand their territories and earn something extra way from track and field," Ababu said.

Speaking on her anticipation for Omanyala's Olympic journey with Team Visa, Eva Ngigi, Country Manager for Visa Kenya, said: "As Omanyala intensifies his preparation for the Olympics, we are immensely proud to support his quest. His commitment and dedication mirror Visa's values of resilience and inclusivity. We stand united with him as he readies himself for the global stage both on and off the track."