Kenya to enter big squad in London Olympics

Kenya will strive to enter a big team in this year's Olympics so as to improve on its previous performance in Beijing. Kenya entered about 100 athletes four years ago and managed to get six gold medals, but head of the country's Olympic committee Kipchoge Keino wants a better performance in 2012 in London. "The country has many youths who can do better. But we have not done enough to expose them and train them. We will try to do that this time round so that we may maximize on the medal prospects from the games," he said on Wednesday in Nairobi. The country has already confirmed that all the athletes, who will be entered for the games, will have a training session in Bristol City, prior to them moving to the Athlete's Village for the London Olympics. Sports Minister Paul Otuoma said the key to success was in training and promised better incentives for those who do well, including cash rewards and land. "We want to honor you. We will give out cash rewards as always and then see what we cab add. Maybe Land or cars (SUVs). But athletes must be given good recognition for their determination and struggle to raise the country flag high," he added. Keino, however, challenged other disciplines to emulate track and field, where the country harvested all its six gold medals in Beijing. Those who won gold for Kenya were the Late Samuel Wanjiru (marathon), Wilfred Bungei (800m), Pamela Jelimo (800m), Asbel Kiprop (1,500m), Brimin Kipruto (3,000m SC) and Nancy Jebet Lagat (1,500m). "Kenya has many youths who can excel in any discipline. These need to be done with urgency so that we widen our medal scope for the London Olympics. Dependence on track and field alone is not good for a sporting nation like ours," said Keino. Swimming has come close to winning a medal at the Games with Jason Dunford, who missed out on the podium in Beijing in the 50m butterfly style by a whisker. He, however, set an Olympic record that stood for seven minutes before American Michael Phelps broke it. Boxing, which brought Kenya a gold medal in 1988 Seoul Olympics games is now a pale shadow of its past. Kenya national team "Hit Squad" can no longer sting and it will be a major step if the country gets any pugilist to make the team to London. Taekwondo, volleyball, hockey and cycling are also some of the disciplines the country eyes to get athletes qualified in them.