Raila at relaunch of 2010 Africa Athletics LOC

Prime Minister Raila Odinga unveils the logo for the 17th Confederation of Africa Athletics Senior championship with Local Organising committee chairman Isaiah Kiplagat at KICC. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO

After several false starts, the Local Organising Committee of the 2010 Senior Africa Athletics Championship finally got off the blocks in a colourful re-launch gala that was attended by top corporate figures, government leaders and sportsmen.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was the chief guest, cautioned the organisers that the success in hosting the championship will serve as the yardstick for Kenya to receive endorsements to bid and stage future top sporting events.

“The journey to hosting the Africa Senior Athletics Championship has just begun. It will be no simple task and it requires full commitment and financial support for the country to have a successful championship,” said Odinga.

Isaiah Kiplagat, the chairman of LOC, said with only seven months remaining, they were ready to burn the midnight oil to see that they attain their target as they prepare to welcome Africa’s best track and field athletes from all the 54 stages in the five-day event at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The event will be used to pick Africa’s best athletes for the World Cup in athletics that will be held in Croatia in September.

“For this reason, the best African athletes must come to Nairobi and this promises to be the best competition so far as each one fights for a chance to go to the World Cup. Top names like (Kenenisa) Bekele, Dibaba (Tirunesh) and our own local runners will be on parade,” said Kiplagat.