Confusion as AK cancelled World Indoor Trials, selection to be done on merit
The World Athletics Indoor Trials earlier slated for yesterday and today will not proceed after the Athletics Kenya (AK) called off the exercise citing what they termed as unavoidable circumstances.
The two-day competition, was meant to select a team that would represent the nation at the World Athletics Indoor Championships scheduled for Friday, 20 to Sunday, 22 March, 2026 in Poland.
Instead, AK has opted to handle the selection through a time-based and merit-based selection process which will be done after the World Athletics qualification period officially closes on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
“Athletes are advised to continue training and preparing for upcoming competitions listed on the Athletics Kenya calendar as the federation continues to monitor performances during the qualification period. Any further updates regarding the World Athletics Indoor Championships and selection of the team will be communicated in due course,” a statement by AK read in part.
The selection will name a team for the 60m men, 60m hurdles women, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 3000 men and women.
The federation has called on athletes to continue with their training programmes in preparation for the championships.
Kenya will field athletes in six events: 60m men, 60m hurdles men, 400m men and women, 800m men and women, 1500m men and women and 3000m men and women.
Kenya ended without a podium finish at the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, China.
World Athletics officially released the qualification system and entry standards last year with sprint entry marks standing at 7.20 seconds for women and 6.59 for men in the 60m.
