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Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala confirmed that he has received his US Visa and that he will be in Oregon for the World Athletics Championships that start tomorrow Friday, July 15 at the Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, USA.
In the last-minute rush, Ferdinand was granted his US Visa today and will be leaving the country a few after 6 pm today.
Through his social media accounts, the 9.77 man could not hide his joy as a banner with World Athletics colors and his image read “Oregon here I come!”
“I’m always ready and optimistic that I will compete, mimi ni Mluhya (I am a Luhya),nilipack Sunday asubuhi (I packed on Sunday morning)” he said while being interviewed by one of the media houses.
He also expressed his gratitude and thanked everyone who participated to get his documents approved.
“I got it from the US embassy today and I want to thank them. There is nobody to blame here, it is the system…you cannot just force anything,” he said.
He also thanked Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amb Amina who has been working hard to resolve the stalemate, with the help of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
His flight is estimated to take an average of 24 hours, but the sprinter hopes to make it to the track on time.
“I hope I get there coz I know I am supposed to compete tomorrow. It is just about getting to Oregon and that start line and making it happen. I pray that I make it on time and God gives me the grace to handle the pressure,” he said.
He said that there are talks to have him run his own race.
“If I arrive there like a bit late, Mr. Barnabas Korir has told me that they (AK) are talking to World Athletics to have my race in my own heat which will be nice just to run alone and feel the field and compete alone and make through to the semi-finals you know, after that everything will follow but I hope I get there and compete with the others because that is the importance of such games,” he said.
“I have been training for this for one year and when I get the chance I will use it, I have everything ready so it is upon me to take that plane and move to Oregon. I am always ready, I have been through a lot and I have a strong mentality so my main aim is to get there,” Omanyala added.
“I am not selecting any championships, all are important so I am going for medals in both (The World Championships and the Commonwealth Games),” concluded.
