Speaking from the practice track in Glasgow, coach Kirwa highlighted the team's dedicated preparation, high morale, and determination to overcome flight fatigue and variable local weather conditions.
Despite the changing weather conditions and initial travel fatigue, coach Kirwa emphasised the squad’s intensive training back home in Kenya has equipped them to handle any environment.
‘Weather is quite unpredictable’
“The weather is quite unpredictable,” said Kirwa. “After a couple of hours, you see it getting cold, then warm, and then cold again.
“But none of these things can intimidate us because of the preparation we did back home. That is not a problem for us.”
Kirwa added that initial track sessions were focused on shaking off travel strain to ensure athletes are in peak form: “We woke up today to do some light training to try and shake off the jet lag from the long flight.”
With a mixture of seasoned international runners and promising newcomers, Kirwa noted that team spirit remains high as coaches work closely to meet the athletes' equipment and training needs.
He said the athletes were listening closely to technical advice and remaining faithful to their training regimens and that the coaches were strongly focused on nurturing first-time national team representatives.
“The athletes have been faithful to the guidance we give them, and the coaches are right here with them,” Kirwa remarked.
“We have the morale. The few remaining issues involve equipment like spikes for some of the new athletes, who have made the national team for the first time.
“Those supporting them need to look into their needs so they can proceed smoothly. Otherwise, the runners are ready.”
Reflecting on the 2022 Games in Birmingham - where Kenya gathered 21 medals (six gold, five silver, and 10 bronze) - coach Kirwa believes the current squad possesses the capability to top that record.
“Looking at this team compared to the one from Birmingham, I see a group that can match what we did in Birmingham or even achieve much more,” concluded Kirwa.
Rukia Nusra targets medal podium
Meanwhile, Kenyan 100m hurdles record-holder Rukia Nusra Omulisia is setting her sights on a spot in the finals and a podium finish as she prepares for her debut appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Speaking on the trackside during a practice session in her national outfit, the fast-rising sprint star expressed immense confidence following a standout season that saw her break into sub-13-second territory.
Reflecting on her progress heading into her first major Games, Nusra noted that her recent milestones have given her the conviction that she belongs on the international stage.
‘I feel like I belong here’
“I’m excited for my first Commonwealth Games,” Nusra said. “My season has been great. I had a good breakthrough in my season - this is the first time I ran a sub-13 in my career.
“So, I’m definitely excited. I feel like I belong here, and I'm probably going to go to the finals and work on the medals to get the medals.”
Despite the changing weather conditions in Scotland, the national champion maintained the weather will not serve as a distraction for Team Kenya as they complete their final track preparation.
Nusra added she was accustomed to training through varied conditions back home and that her mindset was oriented toward execution regardless of rain or shine.
“I have not much to say about the weather because come rain, come sunshine, we train through all this type of weather back (home),” she explained.
“We just have to make it happen and make it work. We don't choose the weather; we just have to make it work.”
When asked if she is projecting a podium finish in the women’s 100m hurdles, Nusra offered an unhesitating response: “Yes, definitely. That’s what we’re here for.”
With the track program set to begin, Nusra is looking forward to building on her national record performance and delivering a strong showing in her Commonwealth Games debut.
