By Ben Ochieng

NAIROBI， Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Stephen Kamande， 64， started his athletics career in 2005 for leisure as a way of keeping fit and quickly became a regular participant in various events across the country.

This came after he gradually developed interest in the sport and has since become a common feature in local athletics road races in Kenya.

The "old man of Kenya athletics" finally capped his athletics career when he won the silver medal in the world half marathon event in the 60-64 years age category during the 2016 International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Masters Athletics Championships that were held in Perth， Australia in November.

"My dream of ever dream of ever flying the Kenyan flag at an international event finally came to fruition， albeit at an advanced age. It also marked my first time to board a plane，" Kamande told Xinhua soon after arriving back to the country.

Kamande first participated in the 10km race when he registered for the event in Mwiki on the outskirts of Nairobi to test whether he could run even after getting past 50 years.

"To my surprise， during the prize giving ceremony， organizers noted I was the oldest participant and therefore having beaten all other old men in the race， I was awarded two U.S. dollars as prize money and a medal. My motivation doubled henceforth，" Kamande told Xinhua in Nairobi on Monday.

The bearded old man， who spots a turban， popularly associated with the Akorino sect， attributed his rise to the level of a national to his passion for the sport amid criticism from his peers.

"Many of my age mates mocked， however， being a believer in myself， I remained steadfast in my commitment to the sport that saw me develop discipline of running every day and taking part in competitions，" Kamande told Xinhua.

Kamande has participated in all editions of the Standard Chattered Nairobi International Marathon， except during this year's event where he has dominated the veteran's category， in addition to running at various races in the Athletics Kenya calendar.

Kamande sells trinkets at Ngara Market in Nairobi， where he also attends a monthly race every second Sunday organized by the Parklands Sports Club within the city for athletes above 60 years to enable them to get some money for their upkeep.

Kamande's medal assisted Kenya to become the first African nation to bag a total of 10 medals. Kenya won three gold medals， four silver medals and three bronze medals.

The World Masters Athletics Championships are a biennial event held under the auspices of World Masters Athletics， for athletes over the age of 35 years. Enditem

ISTANBUL [url=http://www.nikeprestobaratas.es/nike-presto-blancas.html]nike presto blancas baratas[/url] , April 14 (Xinhua) -- As Turks go to the polls on Sunday over whether to accept amendments to the constitution to make way for a presidential system, "No" campaigners feel confident about their victory, though many polls indicate a neck-and-neck race.

According to polls made public in the past week, both "Yes" and "No" camps may emerge victorious by a small margin by garnering 51-52 percent of the votes.

Some polling companies give a slightly higher percentage -- ranging between 53 and 58 percent -- mostly favoring yes.

Dividing Turks is the contentious issue of whether to turn to an executive presidency from the parliamentarian system put in place ever since the republic was founded in 1923.

Those campaigning for "No" look confident that they are ahead in the polls, while leading figures of the "Yes" campaign -- members of the ruling party -- have been cautious on the issue.

"Let me say it clearly: Despite all the pressure by the state, the ruling party, the no vote will win," said Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), in a live interview on TV on Wednesday night.

Earlier in the day, he also maintained, based on latest surveys, that at least 53 percent of the voters in Istanbul would say no.

As Turkey's most populous city, Istanbul has almost one fifth of all the voters in the country except for expats.

The yeasayers argue that the switch to the presidential system would help the country achieve better economic progress and fight more effectively against terrorism by accelerating the decision-making process.

In an apparent bid to win over nationalist voters, they have often charged that whoever votes no is on the same side with terrorists.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), in power since 2002, also says the executive presidency would ensure stability in politics by eliminating the risk of coalitions under the parliamentarian system.

For their part, the naysayers counter that granting sweeping powers to the president without checks and balances could lead the country to disaster.

According to "No" campaigners, a stronger presidency would mean a change in Turkey's democratic regime rather than its political system, a development that would lead to a dictatorial one-man rule.

The ruling party rejects the claim, saying any person elected by popular votes can not be called a dictator.

Voting yes for the 18-article constitutional amendments is handing over the fate of the nation to a single person, the naysayers caution.

"The regime can no longer be called a democracy should these amendments enter into force," Abdullatif Sener, a former AKP deputy prime minister, told Xinhua.

The state structure the package aims to put in place would turn Turkey into a plaything for imperialism, he added, indicating it is always easier to pressure one single person.

According to the amendments to be voted on in Sunday referendum, the president will be authorized to change all top-level bureaucrats by a presidential decree without parliament's approval.

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