AK should review structure of athletics competitions to make them more appealing

For years, National Championships have played second fiddle to National Trials whenever there is a major event such a World Championships or Olympics on the horizon.

This is mainly because Trials are used to select Kenya teams with the former a formality of deciding local champions at various track and field events.

The wisdom of Athletics Kenya (AK) organising the two events in a major championship year has been questioned.

Critics argue subjecting athletes to National Championships and later Trials drains them ahead of the world events.

Detractors urge AK to consider adopting the system used by our fiercest rivals Ethiopia who select their squads at their national championships usually held more than two months prior to a global event giving their runners more time to prepare.

However, AK has always defended the need of having National Championships and trials, arguing that unlike Ethiopia that has few potent runners, Kenya possesses thousands of quality athletes who need to be accommodated in competition.

But it has not been lost on Riadha House mandarins that National Championships that begin today have been losing lustre in recent years hence the need to jumpstart them this year.

For the first time, the three-day event will culminate with selection of men and women 10,000m teams for Berlin in what should attract local and international interest.

Although AK’s move will breathe life into the National Championships, there is urgent need to review the whole structure of athletics competitions to make them more appealing to the masses.

Otherwise, the National Trials will continue generating more interest at the expense of other locally organised athletics events.