Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth Development Director Barnabas Korir has urged the government to accelerate the development of indoor sports facilities, citing the need to keep Kenyan athletes competitive on the global stage.
Korir spoke ahead of the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland, where he remains confident in the performance of Kenya’s eight-member squad. He highlighted that, despite producing world-class talent, the lack of local indoor facilities remains a significant challenge for athletes preparing for international competitions.
Kenya’s team hits the track today with Mercy Oketch and Brian Tinega in the 400m, Rosemary Longisa and Gladys Chepngetich in the 800m, and later Noah Kibet, Susan Ejore, and Festus Lagat competing in distance events.
Korir emphasized the competitive advantage enjoyed by athletes abroad:
“Athletes overseas have access to training, science, and support that’s why they are running extremely well.”
Key members of the Kenyan squad include Brian Tinega, a 400m specialist at Texas Tech University and national indoor record holder with 45.68 seconds, and Rosemary Longisa, a 20-year-old 800m specialist from Washington State University who ranks as the third-fastest Kenyan woman in history over the indoor mile.
The 3,000m event will see Jacob Krop, 2022 World 5,000m silver medallist, face stiff competition, including American Olympic 1,500m champion Cole Hocker.
Korir urged the government to replicate international-standard facilities locally:
“We want to replicate these facilities here so our athletes have the chance to train and compete on equal terms. Infrastructure is vital not just for medals, but for the benefits athletes bring to this country economically.”
He also stressed that success on the track should be leveraged to drive broader economic development:
“We have not really utilised their success to make sure that we use that to build economically as a country.”
The 2026 Championships will feature 674 athletes from 118 federations, including 11 World Championship gold medallists and nine Olympic champions, with stars like Ukrainian high-jump record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Britain’s Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson competing.
Korir remains optimistic that with the right infrastructure and support, the next generation of Kenyan athletes can thrive, both on the track and as contributors to national development.
