Kenyan coach confident as team jets out for world XC championship

NAIROBI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's national cross country team head coach Julius Kirwa left the country on Wednesday expressing confidence that his runners will perform well at Sunday's World Cross Country Championships in Scotland.

Kirwa also expressed happiness with the team's discipline, saying in the seven years he has handled the national squad, this year's was the best in that regard.

"I look forward to seeing them put the same discipline on the ground and show their ability by helping us win the events we have lost out to our rivals," he said before his departure on Wednesday night.

The difference in climate between Embu where the team trained and Edinburgh, however is not giving the coach sleepless nights.

Kirwa noted that Kenya has previously competed in tougher conditions and Edinburgh will be the same to all.

The Athletics Kenya (AK) has ordered for winter clothes for the athletes from sportswear firm, Nike, and AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said the shipment is expected in Scotland on Friday.

"But it is important to help the young ones who get acclimatized to these conditions. Most are making their first trip abroad and in such weather conditions - near freezing. But this is a challenge and an experience they must get into their careers," said Kiplagat.

But Kirwa said the athletes are all set for the job at hand in Edinburgh. "The team is ready to go. We are asking Kenyans to pray for us and I hope we will do something that they will be proud of. The athletes are looking forward to Edinburgh, they have high spirits and are definitely ready for war on Sunday," said Kirwa.

His words were echoed by team captain Mark Kiptoo who said that the team is well aware of the huge task ahead.

"We have received all the support in the build up to the championships and our morale is very high. The athletes know what Kenyans are expecting and they will give their best on Sunday to ensure that we do the country proud," he said.

"Kenyans should pray for our team because we have done all we have to do. Our coaches have given us all the instructions while they were with us and we have received all the support we need to perform well," Kiptoo, 32, who will feature in the men's long race, added.

Kirwa said he has renewed confidence in the senior women's team which will be looking to regain both the individual and team titles.

"This year's team is much stronger than last year and we are confident they will do better. There is a mixture of experienced and fresh faces and in Linet Masai we have one of the in-form athletes as she won in Mombasa and has been in good form," he noted.

Kenya has not won the 12km individual title since 1999 and Kirwa admits it will be the hardest race of the championship.

"Winning that race will not be easy and whoever wins it will have to fight really hard because there is such tough competition," said Kirwa.

"We are ready to go and I am confident that this team will do something good. The team is looking forward to the challenge and are well motivated and in high spirits."

Kirwa exuded confidence that chances of bringing the dismal run to an end were high. "This time, I have a women's team and I am willing to die with it that it will bring the team and individual titles home," he said.

Kirwa, who led Kenya to runners-up slot at last year's World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, expressed similar sentiments in regard to the men' s team.

"We stand a good chance of getting the team title and the individual winner will have to struggle very hard since we are ready for war," he said.