Stage set for World U20 Champs trials
Sports
By
Jonah Onyango
| May 16, 2026
Future world beaters are set to emerge as Athletics Kenya hosts the highly anticipated national trials for the 2026 World Under-20 Championships on May 21-23 at Nyayo Stadium.
The three-day track and field extravaganza will provide a perfect platform for the country's finest young athletes to secure their tickets to the global stage and carry forward Kenya's rich heritage of middle and long-distance running excellence.
The World Under-20 Championships are scheduled for August 2–9, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
The showdown will be strictly by invitation, with more than 200 junior athletes expected to grace the event.
Age verification has been made a major and compulsory requirement for participation. All athletes must present original and authentic documentation to prove their ages.
READ MORE
How to pick the right insurance cover for your car
Push for cryptocurrency regulation gathers pace
How high-stakes home ownership dreams are shattered by city cartels
South Sudan justifies Crawford Capital Port collection role
Farmers risk losing half their harvest, agency warns
Afreximbank bets on $10bn crisis fund, gold bank to bolster African sovereignty
Africa-France summit ends with push to overhaul key trade rules
Ecobank, AGRA partner to boost agricultural financing
Kenya's infrastructure push drives demand for heavy machinery
Kenya targets North African startups in regional innovation push
Athletics Kenya Youth Development chairman Barnaba Korir underscored the importance of this measure.
“Athletes must present proper documentation to verify their ages,” Korir said.
According to Korir, the federation has intensified efforts to stamp out age cheating, an offence that could attract heavy sanctions from World Athletics.
“The decision to bring the trials forward was strategically aimed at allowing ample time for athletes and officials to secure American visas early, while also giving the selected squad sufficient time to fine-tune preparations ahead of the global junior extravaganza in Oregon,” he added.