IAAF impressed by Kenya's preparations for World Under-18 championships

World Under-18 Athletics Championship Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Mwangi Muthee (right) and Ibrahim Hussein (left) leads IAAF Director of Operations Carlo De Angeli in tour of Safaricom Stadium, on June 13, 2016. PHOTO |CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • IAAF would have loved the championships being held at a smaller venue with a maximum capacity of 30,000.
  • The championships was initially earned-marked for the Nyayo National Stadium but the organisers had to move it to the 60,000-seater Kasarani.
  • Kenyatta University's three-star hotel will serve as the championships’ village for the athletes.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has commended progress made by Kenya in its preparations to host of the World Under-18 Athletics Championships in July 12-16 next year.

The IAAF director of operations Carlo De Angeli said he acknowledged the challenges Kenya has faced but said he was satisfied with the structures the Local Organising Committee has put in place in order to deliver a successful event.

“I am pleased with the presentation today (Monday) after having toured the competition venue and warm up track,” said Angeli after witnessing presentations from various departments in the Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by the LOC chief executive officer Mwangi Muthee at Kasarani.

Even though IAAF would have loved the championships being held at a smaller venue with a maximum capacity of 30,000, Angeli noted that the new venue at Kasarani was still good for the championships.

The championships was initially earned-marked for the Nyayo National Stadium but the organisers had to move it to the 60,000-seater at Kasarani after falling behind scheduled.

Angeli, who arrived in the country on Sunday was addressing the press after touring the championship venue and warm up track besides attending a presentation from LOC.

“We like the youth and junior events beings staged in smaller venues since they attract smaller crowds but I don’t want to compare or judge since the organisers have promised to lure more the events,” Angeli said. “We have to be realistic that not all our events have been full to capacity.”

FAST TRACK RENOVATIONS

However, Angeli said the organiser will have to fast-track the renovations of the competition and warm up tracks to the required standards. “The state of the track is not ideal but I am sure this is something that should be handled easily after a commitment from LOC,” said Angeli.

The move by the local organisers to have Kenyatta University that has a three-star hotel as the championships’ village for the athletes also won accolades from the IAAF official.

“Accommodation always top our priorities and this will be the first time we shall have a single venue, which makes easy to operate and secure,” said Angeli adding that accommodation for athletes, IAAF family, the media and technical partners has been handled well hence a good story that he will share at a review meeting in Monaco.

Among the hotels that have been earmarked to host the IAAF family, the media and technical officials are Safari Park, Windsor, Kenyatta University, Lamada and Monetary Studies.

Angeli noted that security was a global issue but was confident that Kenya will handle it well, having gotten an assurance from the government.

“I am told the movement of athletes from their village to the training and competition venues will be secured,” explained Angeli.

Muthee said the procurement process for facilities among others services for the championships will start before the end of the week.

“The IAAF has given us templates with timeline and we still have an open window to July 15, which we shall beat,” said Mwangi.