Kenya reigned supreme in track and field as the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association athletics programme concluded at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro, Tanzania.
In the secondary schools category, Team Kenya garnered a whopping 56 medals, including 31 gold, 22 silver and three bronze to maintain their dominance over archrivals Uganda.
Uganda took second place with a total of 37 medals. They included six gold, 12 silver and 19 bronze, while Rwanda was third with one gold and one silver. Hosts Tanzania settled for the fourth position with 19 medals, which included four silver and 15 bronze. Burundi went home empty-handed.
In the primary school category, Kenya won 24 gold, 19 silver, and three bronze medals to emerge overall winners, and were followed in second place by hosts Tanzania with four gold, nine silver, and 19 bronze medals.
Uganda finished third with two gold, two silver, and eight bronze medals. In the men’s 800m, junior international Nahashon Pkiach led a Kenya 1-2 finish in a closely contested race.
Pkiach, who represented Kenya at the just-concluded WU20 championships in Oregon, USA, clocked 1:52.7, beating compatriot Collins Tendera to second place in 1:53.2, while Nicholas Acire of Uganda settled for bronze in 1:54.7.
In the 3, 000m Wesley Kiplangat upset WU20 steeplechase silver medalist Emmanuel Lemiso to bag gold. Kiplangat finished in 8:17.8 while Lemiso clocked 8:19.6. Israel Cheptoya of Uganda was relegated to third place in 8:23.8.
Brian Kandie of Sinonin dominated the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, leading from the start to the finish. He was in 9:01.2 ahead of compatriot Bravin Kipruto, who clocked 9:34.8, while Amos Cherotich of Uganda was third in 9:42.7.
In an interview after winning gold for Kenya, Kandie said: “I was disappointed after missing out on the WU20 championships. However, I’m happy with a consolation gold here in Tanzania. I will continue working hard so that I restore Kenya’s lost glory in the event.”
In the women’s steeplechase, Faith Jeptum of Sinonin Secondary in Baringo triumphed. She crossed the finishing line in 10:06.5, beating Silvia Jemwetich to second place in 10:21.7, while Tanzania’s Magritha Isaya was third in 11:29.7.
Nancy Kibet and Winnie Chepchumba won gold and silver for Kenya in the 800m race. Kibet clocked 2:09.7, and Chepchumba 2:11.0. Uganda’s Zumura Chebet won bronze in 2:13.8.
Kenyans continued with their dominance, with Claire Cheruto bagging gold in the women’s 5,000m. She crossed the line in 16:04.9 and was trailed in second place by compatriot Naomi Chepkwemoi in 16:06.6. Kenya also won gold in the men’s and women’s 4x100m, 4x400m and the medley relays.
