Michael Cherono from Kaptere in Baringo North Sub-county is optimistic that he can still run to win ‘Gold’ to save his family and community from abject poverty.
“What is wrong with my age yet it is just but a number, practice is all I need which I do every morning and evening and I see myself even super fit than ever” Cherono told the Star in Kabarnet town on Friday.
Before retiring from sports in 1980, he says he won his last best award in 800metres race from the United States of America (USA) clocking 1minute 47 seconds.
“I was chosen to represent Kenya in the Olympics in Moscow but then the African countries boycotted the event due to apartheid in South Africa.” He said.
He said he later won scholarship to further his studies in an American University then came back to serve as a local secondary school teacher until when he retired in the year 2004.
Cherono said during his time in athletics, champions were not treated so special like today he sees them being washed with millions of money.
“However much one runs he or she could only get a worthless trophy, a paper certificate and a token of appreciation” he said adding that he is ready to resume back and try his leg if given the opportunity.
“Now I am tired of boredom and poverty I want to go out meet my mates in the world to compete with them, I know I will win to bring back home as many medals as possible” Cherono said.
The veteran further said initially in 1975 while in Secondary school he won the East African 1,500m championship in Iringa-Tanzania and scooped second position in 3000m steeplechase in Kisumu in 1974.
“This is just a brief of what I managed to tell but as you can see here I have got a whole handbag full of certificates” he said while raising his black ancient briefcase.
Among the successful renowned young local athletes he coaches are Peris Cheptoo, Titus Munchi, William Chebon, Christine Chepkong’a, Eric Kiptoon, Richard Kimatoi, Victor Kigen, Yusuf Songoka, Kimwetich Kangogo, Joel Kulei, Benjamin Bartonjo and Beatrice Cherono.
When he presented his proposal of a group of elderly team willing to resume athletics to the County Sports Executive Thomas Ole’ Nongonop on Monday, he was turned away “we don’t have a budget for old people like you” Olenongonop said.
He also accuses the county Athletics Kenya (AK) officials for ignoring them.
However he is among the nine-member team from Baringo set to register with Athletics Kenya Masters (AKM)- for the elderly at Eldoret this Saturday.
Others are former retired athletics icons Mathew Birir, Rael Mitich, Mary Chepkoiyo, Charles Cheruiyot, Jonah Birir, Rodah Chebon, Caroline Bowen, Sammy Cheruiyot and Elijah Chelagat.
However, AKM President Rose Muiya confirmed that the team is fit to resume active sports so they can represent the country both in African and the upcoming world competitions.
Muiya urges the counties to consider registering the old persons to participate in sports saying it will relief them boredom which may result in indigence in alcoholism and immorality.