Africa Cross-Country Championships training camp disbanded

The Africa cross-country championship residential training Camp has been closed after more than 20 days of training at St Mark’s teachers' College in Embu County.

Jackson Tuwei the President Athletics Kenya said Kenya was devastated by the postponement of the Africa cross-country championships, scheduled for March 6 and 7 March in Lomé (Togo).

“After deliberations with the AK officials and with the indefinite postponement we cannot continue with the training and the athletes will wide up the camp and leave on Friday. We urge them to continue with individual training at home for the other upcoming events.

The camp had also experienced challenges initially with athletes who are students and were yet to make it to the camp as they were preparing for the KNEC exams slated for March this year.

Tuwei relayed the communication after the announcement was made last week by the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) following a request by the Togolese authorities who raised sanitary measures to contain the Spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It has been a difficult period with many challenges throughout the world as Athletes have not been able to compete or sign contracts,” Said Tuwei

The AK president further said they had learned lessons as they discovered training individually was not the best practice.

He encouraged athletes to try other skills as they work hard on education. “The American athletics team is 100% students from the universities”

Tuwei also noted that the country was also focusing on the Olympics which said would be difficult as the organizers were contemplating on hosting without spectators.

He also encouraged the athletes to maintain discipline while training at home and observe all the ministry of health protocols.