Ethiopia have won the first gold medal available at the ongoing CAA African Senior Athletics Championship after Jamal Vime Mekonen clocked 29.09.17s to take the men’s 10,000m final.

Mekonen finished the race ahead of compatriot Andamlak Belihu Berta, who took silver with a time of 29.11.09s , while Uganda’s Timothy Tirotich won bronze after clicking a time of 29.11.87s.

Kenyan athletes were conspicuously missing from the medal positions with the country’s officials blaming their late arrival for their poor showing in the long distance race.

The 21st edition of the Athletics Championship in Asaba has witnessed several setbacks including media accreditation problems, event rescheduling and many more.