Kenya should expect a World Athletics 100m title, says Omanyala

Africa’s fastest man in 100m race, Ferdinand Omanyala has made a promise to his fans and the country at large to expect a World Athletics 100m title from him this year.

The 27 year-old who is just from beating the Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Lievin on Wednesday night with a new Kenyan National Record of 6.54 seconds over the 60m distance, said his main focus now is on the World Athletics Championships that will be held from August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.

“This season has begun on a good note and am so happy on how I have started the season, You should expect a world title from me this year and then the Olympic title next year,” said Omanyala.

The African 100m champion was speaking during a breakfast meeting that was organized on his behalf by Sports Kenya for his exploits at the just concluded indoor games.

The event was graced by permanent Secretary for Sports and Arts, Jonathan Mueke who assured Omanyala and the Kenya sprinters in general that, the government will soon upgrade the Kasarani and Nyayo stadium to International status, “ the ministry is committed on upgrading the Kasarani Stadium and as we speak now there is ongoing work at the facility,” said Mueke.

The event host the Director General of Sports Kenya, Pius Metto on his part offered all the training facilities to Omanyala and his team to train for free as he prepares for the upcoming events, “Omanyala We are proud of you, welcome back to your training ground, We have opened the gym for you and your team anytime you want to train.” He also urged Omanyala to mentor the upcoming athletes.

The event was also grazed by the Chairman House committee on Sports Hon. Daniel Wanyama, who urged Sports Kenya to upgrade the Kasarani training facility to be better for the young and upcoming Omanyala’s. “Omanyala please let me know if the facility will not have been repaired for you so that I can face this team and tell them what they are supposed to do,” said Wanyama.

The elected member of Parliament for Webuye West, also had an advice to the African sensation, “Money comes with pride, and I urge you to remain humble for you to go places.”

The commonwealth Games 100m champion, started his season with a second place finish on February 8 at Meeting Miramas Métropole with a time of 6.60 seconds behind Arthur Cisse of 6.59 seconds, then went on to win his second race at the Mondeville Indoor Meeting where he set his first National Record (6.55 seconds) of the season on February 8.