CAA hands Kenya event ultimatum

Kenya must implement proposed changes in venues, transport and accommodation and secure equipment for the Senior Africa Athletics Championship in exactly 86 days or forget staging a dry run on April 24.

That was Olympic silver medallist Frankie Fredricks’ verdict after making a three-day inspection tour of Nyayo National Stadium, local hotels and the transport system.

“It is important that all the equipment and facilities we have talked about and other adjustments be done before the date set for the dry run. Otherwise, Kenya will be forced to postpone the test event to a later date when all this is in place so that we can assess how efficient and effective they are,” said the championship’s organisation delegate.

“This is my event, our event, and we must feel proud about it. The people in charge here have enough experience about hosting such a competition and we have no doubt about them delivering.”

With only five months left before the championship, the Local organising Committee must ensure all is ready for the event that will bring together Africa’s elite athletes for the July 28 to August 1 meeting.

Fredricks, also an athletes’ representative at IOC and IAAF, is leading a Confederation of African Athletics delegation that also has technical delegate Vivian Gungaram and CAA secretary-general Lamine Faty.

Though satisfied with the “world class” hotels and the track at Nyayo, Fredricks said the fence around the track was not necessary as it is meant for football and that it must be pulled down since it blocks the view of the electronic timing device.

Transport challenge

“The other facilities are okay but, as is usual with the big cities, transport remains the main challenge.” LOC was however on the receiving end of doing little to promote the five-day event and Fredricks demanded that more be done on public sensitisation about the championship, which is important in getting fans to fill the 30,000-seater venue.

Unlike in Addis Ababa 2008, the event will be used to select Africa’s team to the World Cup in Split City, Czech Republic, in September. Fredricks said the continent must outclass Europe, America and Asia.