Devolving our athletics events the best decision

What you need to know:

  • We are told that Uasin Gishu is the “City of Champions”, Nandi operate under the “Source of Champions” banner and Elgeyo-Marakwet is the “Home of Champions.”
  • I will not say much, but may the best county win.
  • But for the next host, Kisii, I hope you are watching keenly because we will not expect anything less next year.

I have just realized that the decision to devolve national cross country was long overdue.

Excitement and anxiety has greeted our decision to grant Eldoret City the rights to host the first national cross country event outside Nairobi.

And yes, the whole nation is waiting for the event that will also double up as a tourists attraction.

Kenyans are already planning a holiday around the event and this is good for the city of Eldoret especially the hotel industry.

Considering that Eldoret is the “City of Champions,” this is an opportunity for the athletes parents and siblings to watch their sons and daughters live on the home soil.

One thing I can promise you is that Eldoret Sports Club will be packed to the brim with athletics enthusiasts travelling from far and wide.

This is just the beginning of good things to come and we can’t wait.

But first things first. From the Athletics Kenya’s point of view, expectations are very high and those who choose to travel all the way will get value for their time and money.
Different ball game

In other words, the Eldoret showpiece will be a “mini World Cross Country Championship” as whoever will win the senior races (men and women) will most likely rule the world at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, on March 30.

For the juniors, all one needs to do is to ensure you finish in the top six.

From the past experience anyone in the top six can win at the world stage but Ethiopian runners are always an issue.

Then there is the mixed relay, where Kenya is expected to continue with their dominance.

With about nine days before the event, the ball is the athletes court to prepare well because Eldoret will be a different ball game altogether.

Forget Nairobi where athletes just run for the sole purpose of making the team.

In Eldoret, it will be all about proving a point before their siblings and earning county bragging rights.

Under different banners

Apart from those who will be coming from outside the Rift Valley, those from Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo-Marakwet, who operate under different banners will be all out to win the bragging rights.

We are told that Uasin Gishu is the “City of Champions”, Nandi operate under the “Source of Champions” banner and Elgeyo-Marakwet is the “Home of Champions.”

I will not say much, but may the best county win.

But for the next host, Kisii, I hope you are watching keenly because we will not expect anything less next year.

Korir is the chairman of Athletics Kenya’s Nairobi Branch. [email protected]