(From L) Panama’s Arturo Harmodio Deliser Espinosa, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and Italy’s Chituru Ali compete in the men’s 100m heat of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)
Mulembe Times Sports Desk
Ferdinand Omanyala calls for structured support after Kenya’s 4x100m relay team qualifies for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, urging urgent investment ahead of the global event.
Africa’s sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala has issued a passionate call for structured and sustained support ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships, cautioning that the upcoming global event in Tokyo, Japan, will be anything but easy.
Kenya’s men’s 4x100m relay team, led by Omanyala, made history over the weekend by securing a coveted qualification slot during the World Relays held in Guangzhou, China. The achievement marks the first time Kenya has qualified for the 4x100m relay at the World Championships — a significant milestone in the country’s sprinting history, traditionally overshadowed by its dominance in middle and long-distance events.
“It’s now down to serious business,” Omanyala said after the race. “I’m sure the country has seen our potential, and it’s time they provide us with the financial support and the resources we need — especially access to high-quality training camps. The World Championships will not be a walk in the park.”
The Kenyan quartet — Omanyala, Boniface Mweresa, Meshack Babu, and Steve Odhiambo — finished second in Heat 2 on Sunday, clocking an impressive 38.51 seconds behind Belgium. Their performance earned them automatic qualification to the 2025 World Athletics Championships, scheduled for September 13–21 in Tokyo.
The historic moment came after a tense weekend of competition. On Saturday, the team set a new national record but narrowly missed direct qualification in the initial round. They returned with renewed focus and determination during Sunday’s heats and delivered a performance that booked their ticket to Tokyo.
“We’ve had a fantastic weekend at the World Relays,” Omanyala added. “It’s an incredible feeling to be part of the team that made history. On Saturday, we were disappointed, but we knew we had another shot. On Sunday, we came back stronger — and we did it.”
The sprint team’s success highlights a growing shift in Kenya’s athletic identity, with sprinters increasingly making their mark on the international stage. However, Omanyala — who holds the African 100m record — cautioned that progress cannot be sustained without serious investment.
“We need support, not just emotionally, but structurally — through funding, better facilities, nutrition, and access to elite competitions. Other nations prepare for months in high-performance environments. That’s what we must match if we want to stand a chance in Tokyo,” he emphasized.
Kenya’s Athletics Federation (AK) has lauded the achievement as a step toward diversifying the country’s athletic portfolio. However, critics argue that more must be done to support sprinting programs, which have long been underfunded compared to distance running.
The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo promise to be highly competitive, with sprinting powerhouses like the United States, Jamaica, and Great Britain expected to dominate. For Kenya to break into the medal contention bracket, experts agree that preparation must start immediately.
Omanyala, known for his blistering speed and charismatic leadership, continues to serve as a beacon of hope for Kenya’s sprinting ambitions. His call for structured preparations is seen as a direct appeal to both the government and private sector to rally behind the team.
As the team returns home to celebrate their historic qualification, the focus now shifts to planning — not just to participate, but to compete. For Omanyala and his teammates, Tokyo is not just a destination; it’s an opportunity to redefine Kenya’s place on the global sprinting stage.
