NAIROBI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is exploring ways of putting up a sports academy to enable sports men and women gain both academic and sporting skills.
Kenyan Vice President Moody Awori said it was necessary for people who have taken sports as a profession to also continue pursuing education while engaging in sports.
He assured that the government is committed to uplifting sporting activities in the country and would continue to give them the necessary support to maintain the high standards of sports that has made the country gain fame across the globe.
Awori made the remarks late Saturday during the Tusker National Cross Country Trials, the third in the African series of Cross Country Championships after the ones held in South Africa and Morocco.
Those who were selected in the various categories of the event would represent the country during the forthcoming 35th World Cross Country Championships to be held in Mombasa, Kenya next month.
Awori said it was a great honor for the country to host the forthcoming championships and urged professional sports men and women who participate in international races to utilize their funds well since they will require the money in future for their upkeep after retiring from active sports.
The chairman of Athletics Kenya, Isaiah Kiplagat commended the athletes for being a source of great national pride and international recognition, saying that the country will accord them support in the forthcoming race as they carry the country's flag even higher.
The race which had drawn participants countrywide saw Moses Mosop clinch the first position in the 12km senior men race with the time of 38:40, followed by Gideon Ngatuny in 38:43, while the third position went to Hosea Machariyang in 38:49.
Florence Kiplagat won the 8Km senior women race timing 29:40, followed by Prisca Jepleting in 29:48, while Pamela Chepchumba took the third position clocking 29:55.
In other categories, Mathew Kisorio emerged the winner timing 26:20 in the 8km junior men followed by Nicholas Makau and LeonardKomon who clocked 26:09 and 26:14 respectively.
In the six Kilometer Junior Women, Pauline Korikwang scooped the lead with 21:59, while Mercy Kosgei and Chebet Cheptai taking second and third position with 22:14 and 22:24 respectively.
During the race 35 athletes were selected to participate in the forthcoming World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa.
Those selected took the first 10 positions and would join others for rigorous training in Embu in preparation for the world championships.
