• ATHLETICS

• Frank Rotich 22 hrs ago

Kenya’s team eyes good show at historic World Relays in Gaborone

Kenya will be out to make a strong statement this weekend as a 30-member squad heads to Gaborone, Botswana for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, a landmark event marking the first time the competition is being staged on African soil.

Led by Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and rising sprint star Mercy Oketch, Team Kenya is targeting both podium finishes and crucial qualification slots for upcoming global championships.

The two-day event, set for May 2–3, carries high stakes, with places at the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest up for grabs.

A total of 723 athletes from 40 countries will compete across six relay categories, including the men’s, women’s, and mixed 4x100m and 4x400m races. Kenya will field teams in five events, underlining the country’s growing strength in relay competition.

Beyond medals, qualification remains the key focus. The top 12 teams in each event will automatically qualify for the 2027 World Championships. Additionally, the top six teams in the mixed relays will secure tickets to the Ultimate Championships later this year.

The format will see the top two teams from each heat on Saturday advance directly to the finals and book their spots, while others will get a second chance on Sunday.

Team Kenya blends experience and youth, with a strong lineup in both sprint and 400m relay squads. The men’s 4x100m team will rely on Omanyala alongside Mark Otieno and Meshack Babu, while the women’s 4x400m squad features Mercy Oketch, Hellen Syombua, and Maureen Nanjala. The mixed relay teams are also expected to play a key role in Kenya’s qualification push.

There is also significant prize money on offer. Winners in each event will pocket $40,000 (approximately Sh5.1 million), with rewards extending to the top eight finishers.

The action begins Saturday at 3:05pm Kenyan time at the National Stadium in Gaborone, with live coverage available on SuperSport and streaming on the World Athletics+ platform.