Audio By Carbonatix
Kenyan and African record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala, is yet to receive his United states visa 48hours before he takes to the track for his first race at the 2022 World Athletics Championship in Oregon.
Omanyala who is currently third on the World rankings (9.85s) is still in Kenya with a huge number of athletes having already departed and he is worried that he may miss his first-ever championship or get to Eugene jetlagged.
"I have remained with the TM and we are still waiting to hear from them. They told us they would be calling us and so it is just a matter of time. Of course, it is worrying because my first race is on Friday and this is a long flight," Omanyala explained to Kenyan media outfit Capital Sport.
The 100m meters preliminary and Heats begin on Friday at 12.30pm (local time) and considering it will take a number of connecting flights and a little more than 20 hours to make it to Eugene from Nairobi Omanyala admits his chances of arriving jetlagged are higher even with a Visa today.
"It takes almost 22 hours to get there and as a sportsman, you need some time to rest and also train a bit to shake the jet lag. Looking at all circumstances and my first race being on Friday, I am just hoping I can leave today (Wednesday) so that I get there Thursday night and rest up a bit."
The Kenyan 26-year-old qualified for the World Championships early after clocking 9.85secs to win the Kip Keino Classic. At the National Trials, he clocked 10.04secs under heavy wind, but still ran within the qualifying time.
Omanyala will be hoping to make the finals of the World Athletics Championships, having reached the semis of both the Olympic Games and the World Indoor Championships earlier this year.
Latest Stories
-
Constitution review process smooth and thorough – Professor Prempeh
6 minutes -
Public urged to remain vigilant to ensure fire incident-free Christmas Â
9 minutes -
Why the fight against neglected tropical diseases is far from over
11 minutes -
Reported losses from gold operations in 2025 remain speculative – BoG
41 minutes -
Fighting AIDS and STIs in Africa: UNFPA equips youth to turn data into action
56 minutes -
Amaarae returns to Accra for homecoming concert
58 minutes -
5-year term will be harsher on presidents, not kinder, says Constitution Review Chair
1 hour -
BoG set to exit gold trading business, describes IMF’s losses tag as premature
1 hour -
Minerals Commission Board member warns Blue Water Guards against bribes
1 hour -
Santasi–Ahodwo dualisation takes off; businesses given final eviction deadline
2 hours -
Proposed 5-year presidential term will not apply to current President – Prof Prempeh
2 hours -
Key observations on the Constitutional Review Commission Report submitted to President Mahama
2 hours -
Video: JoyNews engages Prof Kwasi H. Prempeh on proposed constitutional reforms
2 hours -
Awaso STEM SHS matron, cook remanded for allegedly stealing food items
2 hours -
Deputy Finance Minister hails ADB’s remarkable turnaround, record growth and rising confidence
2 hours
