Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Respected Kenyan athletics coach Danson Muchoki says though some local athletes have the talent to compete at international level, there is still a lot of work needed to make them stronger.
He said they will only succeed in this regard if they put in enough work at training.
"I think they can match their competitors from abroad if we can train hard. We should dedicate our time to training because the hard work we put in at training will augur well for South Africa in athletics," Muchoki said.
"I really like what I saw at training with the South African athletes in the short time that I spent with them. They are a dedicated bunch and want to be world beaters.
"This is the right attitude of athletes who want to succeed at the highest level. With such a mentality, I can assure you that one day they will be counted among the best on the international front."
Muchoki was brought to the country by Athletics South Africa three weeks ago to assist its squad for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan, at the weekend.
He accompanied them to Jordan and was not entirely disappointed in the performance of his 23-member squad.
The men's senior team came ninth overall out of 19 countries. They finished ahead of Japan, Portugal, France, Great Britain, Canada, Egypt, Iraq, Rwanda, Jordan and Botswana.
The junior boys finished 10th among 18 countries and the junior girls came ninth among 14 countries.
The women's squad came tenth out of 12 teams.
The championships were dominated by Muchoki's compatriots.
Muchoki returned to Kenya on Tuesday but is expected back next month to discuss a contract with ASA. Both parties are positive they will clinch a deal.
SA athletes have talent: Muchoki
Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Mcelwa Nchabeleng
Respected Kenyan athletics coach Danson Muchoki says though some local athletes have the talent to compete at international level, there is still a lot of work needed to make them stronger.
He said they will only succeed in this regard if they put in enough work at training.
"I think they can match their competitors from abroad if we can train hard. We should dedicate our time to training because the hard work we put in at training will augur well for South Africa in athletics," Muchoki said.
"I really like what I saw at training with the South African athletes in the short time that I spent with them. They are a dedicated bunch and want to be world beaters.
"This is the right attitude of athletes who want to succeed at the highest level. With such a mentality, I can assure you that one day they will be counted among the best on the international front."
Muchoki was brought to the country by Athletics South Africa three weeks ago to assist its squad for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan, at the weekend.
He accompanied them to Jordan and was not entirely disappointed in the performance of his 23-member squad.
The men's senior team came ninth overall out of 19 countries. They finished ahead of Japan, Portugal, France, Great Britain, Canada, Egypt, Iraq, Rwanda, Jordan and Botswana.
The junior boys finished 10th among 18 countries and the junior girls came ninth among 14 countries.
The women's squad came tenth out of 12 teams.
The championships were dominated by Muchoki's compatriots.
Muchoki returned to Kenya on Tuesday but is expected back next month to discuss a contract with ASA. Both parties are positive they will clinch a deal.
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