CS Namwamba hints at Kenya bidding to host 2029 World’s games

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has disclosed the government’s intention to bid for the hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

Kenya’s bid to host the 2025 Championships which was shot down by World Athletics due to poor infrastructure was awarded to the 2020 Summer Olympics host City of Tokyo, Japan.

“Kenya is prepared to present a bid for the 2029 World Championships. We cannot be a powerhouse in athletics globally and fail to bring the world to Nairobi,” Namwamba said.

Elaborate plan

Considering that the reasons for Kenya’s previous bid rejection last year were outrightly constant, CS Namwamba was quick to defend the government saying it has an elaborate plan to ensure the bid is successful.

“We will be better prepared this time round. If our bid for hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is fruitful then we can ride on that for the success of World Athletics Championships,” Namwamba added.

Annual leave

World Athletics president Seb Coe who is in the country for high-level meetings regarding the sport and his annual leave holiday acknowledged Kenya’s appetite to host the major championships terming it a possibility.

“It is absolutely understandable why a country with passion and desire for athletics would want to stage this big event.

“It will take capacity, track record, infrastructural facility and also operational integration of different assets as to give the athletes a good championship if possible,” Coe said.

This year’s event will be held in Budapest, Hungary in August.