Give us more local events for sprinters, Omanyala urges AK

African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala has asked Athletics Kenya to organise more local races for sprinters to enable more budding talent to sharpen their skills.

Omanyala said it is only through competitions that sprinters can gain the experience to challenge their peers at the international level.

“We need more events, maybe increase them from five to 10 or 15. This year I learnt that competition is the best teacher and form of training. As sprinters, we do not really need high altitude training but simply a tartan track and electronic timing so that when a record is broken, it is not in vain,” Omanyala said.

The national 100m record holder agreed that sprints went a notch higher this year but admitted more needs to be done if they are to spring to the next level.

“This year has been really great. We attained so many milestones but we know that 2022 will be fireworks. This year, I trended for only three months but next year the season starts early. Special gratitude to the federation for the support they’ve given us and I would like to urge them to continue in the same way,” he said.

Omanyala further revealed he is keen on moulding other upcoming sprinters so that the country becomes a supply line of talent.

“We have been working with a group of around 20 youngsters, training with them. When my career is done, I wouldn’t want to leave a gap in sprints but to see many more come up and achieve more,” the Kitale-born said.

Turning his attention to his preparations, Omanyala revealed his gruelling off-season training for next year’s events during which he has shed 3kgs from 87kg.

“Starting has been my weakness and that is something I am working on. Next year, I want to compete in the indoor championships specifically in 60m to improve on my starting. Afterwards, I will move to the outdoor competitions where the ultimate goal is the World Championships,” the Tokyo Olympics semi-finalist said.

Also on his wishlist is another duel with American Trayvon Bromell on home soil during the third edition of the Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour in May.

During their first match-up at the second edition in September this year, Bromell timed 9.76 to become the world’s fastest man in 2021 as Omanyala clocked 9.77 in second to set a new African record.

Speaking at the same time, Athletics Kenya vice president Paul Mutwii encouraged Omanyala to be an ambassador of sprints in Kenya and traverse the country, preaching the gospel of the sport.