Ferdinand Omanyala: Controversy Over Delayed Visa Deepens As Athletics Kenya Release Official Statement

• The body in charge of running athletics issues in the country, Athletics Kenya, has released a statement absolving themselves from any wrongdoing in the Ferdinand Omanyala case
• The federation has said that the issue was up to Omanyala himself as it was an individual process
• Athletics Kenya had earlier retracted the same statement terming it as fake, before releasing the same statement

The saga surrounding the delayed visa of Ferdinand Omanyala is far from over. Athletics Kenya has now released an official statement that has appeared to transfer the blame on the 100 metres sprint superstar.

Omanyala competed in the 100 metres races at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA. However, the build-up to the event was shrouded and still is shrouded in controversy.

Two days to his first race, Omanyala took to social media to bemoan his lack of a visa. He got his visa within just 24 hours to the Friday race. He arrived in Oregon less than three hours to his race and all the obstacles notwithstanding, he managed to qualify for the semifinals.

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He wasn't so lucky in the semis, as he finished fifth and failed to qualify for the finals. But the million-dollar question remains. Who was responsible for Omanyala's visa delay?

In a statement, Athletics Kenya has said that:

It is important to note that Ferdinand Omanyala went for Visa Biometrics at the Embassy of the United States in Nairobi on 7th July 2022, alongside other athletes. The rest were issued their visas a day later, while Omanyala's passport was not released. When we enquired why we were informed that he needed to fill in an additional form referred to as supplementary questions for visa applicants to verify some facts.

Neither the Ministry nor the federation could intervene because the required process had to be done individually.

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The statement was signed by Athletics Kenya President, Jackson Tuwei.

Faith Kipyegon underlines her credentials as 1500 metres champion and queen

Sports Brief had earlier reported that prior to the 1500 metres race final, Kenyan athletics fans had cut a frustrated figure. For a country which is known for its dominance in long-distance races, Kenya was yet to win a gold medal at the eighteenth edition of the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

The nation's hopes rested with one Faith Kipyegon, who was seeking to reclaim a World title she had won in 2017.

And boy, she did not disappoint. Kipyegon almost led from gun to tape to win Kenya's first gold medal and send the nation into a frenzy. She stamped her authority in her speciality after she became the first woman to win four medals at the World Championships.