NAIROBI, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will on Saturday hold trials to select the team to represent the East African nation at this year's World Cross Country Championships in what pundits have likened to a mini version of the global event.

Barnaba Korir, youth development officer at Athletics Kenya, on Thursday said that the trials will be akin to a mini world cross country championships because most of those who will win medals at the global event scheduled for March 30 in Aarhus, Denmark will be in contention in Eldoret town where the event will take place.

"The introduction of the wild card system by the selectors will further strengthen our bid to produce winners as well as retain the world title," Korir told Xinhua.

In the past, the selecting team relied on the first six runners past the finish line to make it to the team, but this time four runners will gain automatic qualification with the other two to be decided by a panel of coaches based on prevailing circumstances.

"We have just started the season and we cannot have everyone in perfect shape. The next one month will be key in getting ready for the international event, hence the reason we should be careful in our selection," Korir remarked, adding that as much as the trials are supposed to produces the team, having best runners will be key.

The senior men's race has been billed as an event between youth and experience as the youngsters led by Edward Zakayo intend to upstage seasoned runners led by defending champion Geoffrey Kamworor.

The senior women's race will pit the likes of world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri, former world cross country champion Agnes Tirop, two-time world under-20 3,000m champion Cellphine Chespol, former All Africa Games 5,000m medalist Margaret Chelimo, former 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng and former Africa cross country champion Alice Aprot.

The junior races will be free for all where all the slots will be up for grabs. Enditem