The 5th edition of the Kip Keino Classic World Continental tour set for April 20th at the Nyayo National stadium, has attracted olympic and world medalists in both field and track events.
Sports PS Peter Tum who graced the event reiterated the government’s commitment to make this year’s edition a success.
“This event is important to the Ministry of Sports. From where I sit, the future of Kenyan sports is bright and that’s why we want to support events such as these.We will continue to support the Kip Keino Classic in a big way,” the PS said.
Speaking during the launch Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei revealed the plans to upgrade the Kenyan meet to a Diamond League ,which if granted will be the second in Africa after Rabat’s event.
“We are calling on everyone to come and watch the Kip Keino Classic. This is the only race of its kind in Africa. There will be fireworks in this place (Nyayo) on that Saturday as athletes compete, .To organise an event of such calibre for five editions is not easy. I want to thank the organising committee for the hard work they have put in to make this event a success for the past five editions. A big thank you to the government for their support and the ideas they have provided us, which we have included in the planning for this competition,” Tuwei said.
Kenyan meet which will be the 2nd among this year’s 11 series of the world continental tour gold label, will see a rekindled rivalry in the 100m between commonwealth champion Ferdinand Omanyala who will be out to defend his title against last year’s 1st runners up and olympic silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek of USA .
The meet Director Barnaba Korir urged Kenyans to turn out in numbers to support local athletes .
“Those are the athletes who will be competing and we ask all Kenyans to come and fill the stadium so that we can have a memorable event even as we think of how to host bigger events in the future,” Korir said.
“We have talked to World Athletics and they have said the track is in accordance with the standards and only needs minor repairs. That is what we are undertaking and then we will be good to go,” Korir added.
Olympic 200m silver medalist Christine Mboma from Namibia,reigning world 800m champion Mary Moraa and world 800m silver medalist have confirmed participation.
2016 olympic javelin champion Thomas Rohler of Germany will battle African record holder Julius Yego while Olympics hammer throw champion Wojciech Nowicki will face the 2022 World hammer throw champion Pavel Fajdeck both from Poland.
ABSA bank Kenya committed sh 40 million towards the organisation of this year’s event which is the 2nd in the world continental gold tour meetings after Croatia championship which was held on 15th February .
The bank’s Consumer Banking director Moses Muthui said Absa’s sponsorship of the event is in line with its longstanding passion for sports.
“Absa believes in supporting Kenyan sports. Over the past 10 years, we have invested over Ksh 1.2 billion in sports including golf, athletics and football, among others. We remain committed to this endeavour because we believe your story matters,” Muthui said.
Kenyan meet is divided into three categories of national, discretionary and ultimate core events The ultimate core events which will run from 2pm include 100m for men and women,200m men,400m hurdles women,800m for both men and women and hammer throw for men and women.
This year’s edition will be held at Nyayo Stadium since the first one in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kip Keino Classic is making a return to Nyayo stadium which hosted the inaugural edition in 2020 amidst the COVID 19 pandemic due to the ongoing renovations at Kasarani stadium
