Kenya gets small quota, promises better performance at Commonwealth Games

NAIROBI, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will have to enter a leaner team of 132 to the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast from April 4-15 after its quota was reduced.

However, Chef de mission Barnaba Korir believes the country will still display superb performances to improve on their rankings in the competition, which is only open to countries that were formerly colonized by the British.

Four years ago in Glasgow, Scotland, Kenya which had over 190 athletes finished in position nine with 25 medals -- 10 gold, 10 silver and five bronze.

"We have stronger athletes and that threshold will be improved. However, we must improve our preparations and planning so that athletes can focus solely on training and competition," said Korir here on Saturday.

Athletics, Kenya's golden goose in international competition, will have a reduced entry of just 65 participants with boxing and swimming also having been affected.

Kenya's slots for boxing are only 11 boxers with seven for men and four for women while swimming and shooting that had four slots will now take five athletes each for the quadrennial games that involve Britain and its former colonies. Kenya will have athletes in 15 different disciplines.

"Australia is keen to cut the number of joy riders to Gold Coast and the organizers have even indicated on the number of technical officials that accompany the team owing to accommodation facilities in Gold Coast," said Korir. "We shall be forced to have technical officials double up in some roles in teams that have few athletes."

With 132 entries, Kenya has budgeted US dollars 4.5 million for the games, which is $70,000 more than what was spend on 195 people in Glasgow Games in 2014. Enditem