We want world class event, says Athletics Kenya chief Tuwei

Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jackson Tuwei has reaffirmed that organisers of the seventh and final leg of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series on Saturday are not leaving anything to chance as they put final touches to their preparations for the event.

Tuwei said the event dubbed Kipkeino Classic is a huge opportunity for the country to showcase its prowess to host international events.

Organisers have today planned for a refresher event for all officials in efforts to raise the standards of the event.

The AK chief thanked World Athletics for allowing organisers to include national events in the meeting programme where local athletes will have an opportunity to compete in the build-up to the main events which will take place in the evening.

Core events are only five events that were dropped from the Diamond League series that consist of; 3000m steeplechase, triple jump, discus, hammer throw and 200m both for men and women.

Alongside the core disciplines are discretionary events that include 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m and men’s javelin.

“We are working round the clock to make the event a success. Ever since we started our preparations, we set up committees to oversee every department.

It is also important to note that an event cannot be successful without technical officials and now we will be having a refresher course for our officials on Thursday,” said Tuwei.

Having successfully hosted a successful World Under-18 Championships in 2017, it came as no surprise for Kenya to land the sole slot for African continent to host the inaugural one-day meet.

The event was initially planned to be the first meeting of the tour on May 2. However, due to Covid-19 pandemic it was pushed to September with three meetings in the series cancelled owing to the virus.

President Uhuru Kenyatta having re-opened the refurbished Nyayo stadium that will host the meet, it paved the way for the organisers to engage the final gear to make the event a success.

The President noted that Kenya hosting the event is not only in recognition of Kenya’s ability to host high magnitude events but also appreciates the country’s containment of coronavirus.

Kenya having already placed a bid to host the 2025 World Championships, stakes will be even higher as the world will be closely monitoring the proceedings on Saturday.

Tuwei is however adamant that Kenya has experience to host big events owing to the success of hosting past events including the World Cross Country Championships in 2007 as well as the Africa Senior Athletics Championships in 2010.

“We have shown the world on several occasions that we are ready and capable of hosting big events like we have done before.

It is true that we placed a bid to host World Championships in 2025 and it is not only incumbent on the federation to realise that.

We have to come together as a nation and put our hands together,” he said.