Slow preparations for U-18 event ‘worry’ IAAF

IAAF acting director of communications Anna Legnani at a press conference on April 18, 2016. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • The official, however, said the country has the ability to host the championship. 
  • Kenya held the World Cross Country Championships in 2007 in Mombasa and the 2010 Africa Championships in Nairobi.
  • Legnani, who was present at both championships, said she believes Kenya has the credentials to stage the U-18 event.

The world athletics governing body, IAAF has raised the red flag over Kenya’s readiness to host the 2017 World Under 18 Athletics Championship with just 15 months left.

IAAF director of communications Anna Legnani told Daily Nation Sport in Kapsabet on Monday that Kenya risks losing the championship if the Local Organising Committee does not get its act together.

The government pledged Sh800 million towards the preparations for the five-day event to be held at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani between July 12-17.

However, the IAAF is worried that Kenya is lagging behind in its preparations for championships that will bring delegations from over 160 countries.
“There’s a dire need for Kenya to move fast to cover up the time lost,” said Legnani.

The official, however, said the country has the ability to host the championship. 

Kenya held the World Cross Country Championships in 2007 in Mombasa and the 2010 Africa Championships in Nairobi.

Legnani, who was present at both championships, said she believes Kenya has the credentials to stage the U-18 event.

Legnani has been on a week long tour with a team of European journalists for the IAAF’s “Day in the Life” programmes. The journalists spent time with top athletes and documented their lives.

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In Kapsabet, Legnani and the journalists focused on world champions Julius Yego (javelin), Nicholas Bett (400m hurdles) and Asbel Kiprop (1,500m) and World Marathon Majors champion Eliud Kipchoge.

The Local Organising Committee for the U-18 championship is currently embroiled in a row over the appointment of the event’s chief executive officer.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario appointed former Kenya Rugby Union chairman Mwangi Muthee to replaced suspended Athletics Kenya CEO Isaac Mwangi, who held the post.

However, athletics officials have flatly rejected him, arguing that Muthee is an “outsider” in athletics circles.

AK’s chairman for youth development Barnabas Korir, on Wednesday regretted the government’s lack of seriousness in organising the championship.