Nairobi is preparing to host the first World Athletics Continental Tour Meeting on African soil.
“This is an event that is really important, especially for Africa,” says Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei. “It is going to open our sports in the country and most likely in Africa, because since Covid-19, there has not been any major championship in Africa.”
The meet – named the Kip Keino Classic after distance legend Kipchoge Keino – was initially planned for May but was moved twice to its current date of 3 October.
Nairobi was to host the World Athletics U20 Championships this year but the event was rescheduled because of the corona virus pandemic. Now, the Continental Tour is giving Athletics Kenya another chance to put on a great show this year.
“We want to organise it bearing in mind that the success of the Continental Tour in Nairobi will also resonate on how Africa can organise events,” says Tuwei.
“It will give us an opportunity to ensure that other events can spring up all over Africa, so that we are also able to have our own series that can help and build athletics on our continent.”
Nairobi was to host the World Athletics U20 Championships this year but the event was rescheduled because of the corona virus pandemic. Now, the Continental Tour is giving Athletics Kenya another chance to put on a great show this year.
“We want to organise it bearing in mind that the success of the Continental Tour in Nairobi will also resonate on how Africa can organise events,” says Tuwei.
“It will give us an opportunity to ensure that other events can spring up all over Africa, so that we are also able to have our own series that can help and build athletics on our continent.”
There are five core events in the gold meeting series this season – the200m, 3000m steeplechase, triple jump, discus throw and hammer throw for both men and women. The Nairobi meet will also include javelin throw, the 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m.The organisers have also included some national events to give local athletes the chance to compete in a season ripped to shreds by the corona virus pandemic.
The meeting will take place at the Nyayo National Stadium, which is newly refurbished to meet the standards of World Athletics competitions.
There will be fewer athletes than initially expected but considering the circumstances, meet director Barnaba Korir is pleased with those who have shown interest in it so far.
After a mostly dormant year in athletics in AfricaTuwei is confident that everything is in place for a brilliant event in October.
“We feel that this is going to open this sport on the continent and we hope that things will work out in such a manner that the athletes get a chance to start competing again within the continent and outside.
“We are ready and we are prepared,” he says. “We want to assure all the athletes who will be coming to take part in the first continental tour in Africa that they will enjoy themselves and they will have a very good competition.”
Helen NGOH for CAA