• ATHLETICS

• Frank Rotich 10 days ago

President Ruto assures World Athletics of Kenya’s readiness for 2029 Championships

President William Ruto has assured World Athletics that Kenya will fulfil all its obligations to successfully host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with preparations expected to intensify following the country’s successful bid.

Ruto gave the assurance on Wednesday during a meeting with World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County. The meeting was their first since Kenya secured the rights to host the global athletics showpiece.

The discussions centred on preparations for the nine-day championship, which is expected to attract approximately 2,000 athletes and a worldwide television audience of one billion people, according to Coe.

Ruto said Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which will host the championships, is undergoing major improvements ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

He added that further upgrades would be undertaken before the 2029 competition to ensure the country meets its commitments to World Athletics.

The championships will mark a historic milestone for Africa, which is set to host the senior outdoor World Athletics Championships for the first time.

Coe described Kenya’s successful bid as a major opportunity not only for the country but also for the continent and the global athletics community.

Kenya’s preparations will also require continued attention to clean sport. Ruto revealed that he had held discussions with the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, with both sides committing to efforts aimed at eliminating doping and protecting the integrity of sport.

The government’s assurances come as Kenya prepares to stage two major international sporting events within two years, placing infrastructure development, event organisation and anti-doping measures at the centre of its preparations.

The meeting was attended by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, World Athletics Chief Executive Officer Jon Ridgeon and other Kenyan and World Athletics officials.