Tour was a success, says AK president Tuwei
By Amos Abuga, October 5, 2020
Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei says the Kip Keino Classic, the last stop of the World Athletics Continental Gold Tour, lived up to the billing just like previous events held in Kenyan soil.
Citing examples of the 2010 African Athletics Championship, 2017 World Under-18 Championship (Kasarani) and the 2007 World Cross Country Championship in Mombasa, Tuwei couldn’t be more pleased with what the local organising committee, AK and the government put together.
“Just like the previous big events, the tour gave us a chance to show the world that we are ready and capable of hosting even bigger events like we have done before,” said Tuwei.
“Saturday was yet another milestone for our country. The committees we set to oversee the different departments did their work perfectly.
“We had an opportunity to showcase what we are capable of doing, something we did extremely well,” Tuwei told People Sport.
For a country that had already placed a bid to host the 2025 World Championships, Tuwei said he is not surprised that stakes were higher since the world was watching the one day event.
“One big gesture that many might overlook is the fact that World Athletics allowed the organisers to include national events in the meeting programme.
“This is not something that happens all the time. It was such a pleasant thing to watch local athletes competing in the build up to the main events. Seeing the fans reaction was special too,” he noted.
Tuwei was, however, quick to say the federation will be working closely with the LOC on areas to improve for subsequent events.
“Of course we want an even better event next time. The continental tour was a new event to us, while we like how it went, we shall incorporate recommendations on improvements.”