Defending champion Ndeti faces challenge from Naali

Pune, Nov 25 (UNI) Defending champion Josephat Ndeti of Kenya will have to dig deep into his experience to get the better of his rival Tanzanian Francis Robert Naali, winner of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, when the 21st Pune International Marathon is flagged off tomorrow.

In the women's section, the field is open which could spring some surprises.

A record number of 50 top-class runners from 14 foreign countries will be matching their talents in the gruelling event, being hosted by the Pune International Marathon trust (PIMT).

Considering the field, the task of the Indian runners will be quite difficult in both the men's and women's sections. Last year's winner among Indian runners Dattatraya Jaibhai, who had finished sixth overall with a time of 2:26:57, has withdrawn due to knee injury.

Defending women's champion Naila Yulamanova of Russia, who had clocked 75 minutes and 26 seconds to end the Kenyan dimination last year, has opted out of the race, leaving the field open to newcomers. Among the Indian women, Madhuri Gurnule has good chances to upset the calculations of runners from abroad. Madhuri was the first among the Indian runners and was placed sixth overall with a time of 82 minutes and 8 seconds.

The Kenyans have come with a definite purpose and Josephat Ndeti makes it amply clear. ''We have come on a mission,' he says.

Josephat wants to emulate the feat of his elder brother Cosmos Ndeti who had won the Boston marathon thrice in a row starting 1993.

'I too want to perform a hat-trick in Pune,'' he says.

Tanzanian Francis Robert Naali arrived in Pune early this morning. The 34-year-old civil servant from Moshi in Tanzania exuded confidence. ''I have come here to win on my first visit.'' Naali had won the Manchester event clocking 2:11 but his best time was brought in the 1996 Berlin event where he had clocked 2:09:32 while making his debut in the marathon event.

He, however, admits that the Kenyans, who have three past winners in their squad, will pose a real challenge. ''I will do my best to come out with flying colours,'' he says.

On his part, Ndeti, a farmer, says apart from the Tanzanian, Ethiopians and Russians, he wil face competition from his own team-mates Makau, Douglas and Patrick Much.

The four Kenyan women runners -- Cathy Mutwa, Hellen Nzembi, Pauline Mutwa and Jnewikle are also seasoned performers.

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