Kenyan visa scare is over

Rose Cheruiyot was one of the athletes in visa scare

Fears that several Kenyan athletes would be barred from the World cross country championships have been allayed.

Worries arose when 17 members of the Kenyan squad did not receive visas.

But on Tuesday night David Okeyo, secretary of the Kenyan Amateur Athletics Association, was assured that all 36 runners, plus officials, would get the necessary documentation.

The Kenyan party is due to fly to Dublin on Wednesday for the championships which take place on 23 and 24 March at Leopardstown.

'Received assurances'

Chris Wall, secretary of Athletics Ireland, said the Kenyans had been informed the matter had been resolved.

"We had always received assurances from the Department of Immigration that athletes and officials from all the various countries would get visas," said Wall.

"I am not sure where the original problem arose with the Kenyans.

"It could simply have been a matter of visa forms being filled out incorrectly.

"And the whole issue of visas and security has been tightened since the 11 September terrorist attacks in America."