Israel Saria
Kenyan athletes have continued to underline their supremacy in back to back Kilimanjaro Marathon edition that was staged in Moshi yesterday.
The Kenyans runners were by far better than their Tanzanian counterparts to claim top fabulous cash prizes in the event much to the disappointment of the Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Emmanuel Nchimbi.
Athletics from Kenya dominated the Kilimanjaro marathon by winning all the ten positions in men and women categories at the event held yesterday in Moshi.
Nchimbi wondered where are the Tanzanians who are increasingly losing grip in athletics despite of the event being staged at their won backyard.
The highly disappointed minister expressed his shock and a disappointment on the way the Athletics Tanzania is operating in connection with talent identification to defend the national image at such home- staged international event.
He challenged the At least they have to do something to revive athletics in the country instead of watching the foreigners continuing dominance.
The Minister wondered as to why the Tanzanians kept flopping in such events while they have all the time in the world to prepare for the show.
While he was sorry for the Tanzanian athletes basing on their dismal performance, he diplomatically congratulated the Kenyans who rose to the prize presentation podium to claim their prizes.
The Kenyans were just superior both in men and women categories of the full Marathon event.
Kenyan trio topped the three top places in the full Marathon event as they pushed the home boys into the gutters.
These were David Kaprona, Ezekiel Kimptai and Tibert Chilimo who jubilantly cruised to the first, runners up and third place finishing points with remarkable timings of 2.13.57, 2.14.06 and 2.15.38, respectively.
In the women full Marathon category it was the same story as Monica Chipkoech, Penise Chipkorir and Pamela Anisomo majestically cruised to the prize presentation podium having finished as first runners-up and second runners-up for clocking 2:42:45, 2:43:02and 2:43:41, respectively.
The only Tanzanians who tried to make some ripples in the annual event includes Fabian Joseph and Mary Naali who finished third and fifth in the Half Marathon for men and women categories, respectively.
Fabian Joseph managed to clock 1:03:32 behind Kenyan Hosea Mallel of whose time of 1:03:00 enabled him to emerge the winner and his fellow countryman, Ngugi Geoffrey finished second on 1:03.14.
Tanzanian Mary Naali clocked 1:15.47.
“This year’s Kilimanjaro results is a big shame to Tanzanians as hosts of the event we must do something”, said the Minister.
Nchimbi said Tanzanians are now tired of heartbreaking international sports results and to the extent of holding sports leaders responsible.
Nchimbi urged sports leaders to be to be honest enough and step down so that others can continue where they have left to steady the ship afloat.
“It is high time now for the leaders whose teams don’t perform well in international events to step down and pave way to those who can do better to improve sports in the country”, he said.
In the disabled half Marathon category, Berna Mathias, Iduma Yusuph and Mbangumbangu Mzee finished as winner, runners-up and third placed.
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