Jepkosgei the headline attraction in Nairobi on Saturday

Some heroes of Osaka will headline the Tusker Night of Champions floodlit evening for sprinting and middle distance events at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday (29).

Besides celebrating Kenya's second overall position in the Osaka medal standing, the meeting is also designed to develop a sprinting culture which existed in Kenya over a decade ago as distance and road racing has taken precedence here over everything else.

Meet director Martin Keino has assembled a formidable field including 800m World champion Janeth Jepkosgei who jetted home on Wednesday to a hero’s welcome. She said that she felt honoured to run again at home before turning her attention to her Beijing Olympics dream.

However fans have been denied another opportunity to see Jepkosgei compete against Maria Mutola of Mozambique who has withdrawn because of injury. Jepkosgei will however have Faith Macharia, second in the Kenyan trials, among others to contend with.

The men’s field has also been denied the presence of world champion Alfred Kirwa and Ugandan fourth finisher in Osaka Abraham Chepkirwok who have cited similar reasons like Mutola. This leaves 2004 Olympics silver medalist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi of South Africa as the only foreigner in the men's 800m in the company of seasoned Kenyans like Wilfred Bungei and national champion Justus Koech.

South African 400m hurdler Louis Van Zyl and experienced Zimbabwe one lapper Talkmore Nyongani have arrived in Nairobi for the meeting which will be held earlier in the season next year, according to Keino, son of legendary Kenyan Kipchoge Keino. They are expected to help Kenyan sprinters like Thomas Musembi, Ezra Sambu and George Kwoba get some level of competition they have been lacking.

The 3000m field brings together many prominent Kenyans like Richard Matelong, winner of the 3000m Steeplechase in Osaka, Abraham Chebii and Salim Mushir Jawer of Bahrain.

Asbel Kiprop, fourth in Osaka, is expected to continue from where he left during the final national trials at the 1500. Ethiopian Deresse Mekonnen, who also competed in Osaka is the only foreigner in the field.