Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jackson Tuwei has called on more countries to venture into one-day tour events to increase opportunities for African athletes.
Tuwei said South Africa, Nigeria, and Algeria are best suited for such events to add to the Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the Botswana Grand Prix, and Kip Keino Classic. he said three meetings are not enough.
Tuwei was speaking when he received an Sh9.2m sponsorship boost from Safaricom toward Saturday’s Kip Keino Classic.
“This event (Kip Keino) has grown and has introduced another one in Africa, in Gaborone, Botswana (held two weeks ago) and we encourage other countries to take up this challenge and organise more meetings to ensure we have quite a number,” said Tuwei, who is also the Confederation of Africa Athletics vice president.
“We want to encourage countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Algeria. (Even though) we have the Diamond League in Rabat, Morocco, we need to expand these events to give our athletes more chances and opportunities to compete and get experience as they prepare for international events.”
Tuwei said such events also offer lucrative prize money which is key in empowering African athletes.
“These will be very good for our athletes and officials in building capacity in Africa, not only in technical and event management but also in logistics, security and accommodation,” he said.
Tuwei also hailed Kenyan corporates for their support of the event, especially after Safaricom came on board with a timely boost.
Among the kitty is a Sh2.2m cash incentive from where each new record will fetch Sh250,000. There will also be a tree growing exercise at Kasarani on Friday, where 2,000 trees will be planted.
“We are going to have a component of tree growing because, as you know, clean environment is crucial for the athletes,” said Safaricom’s Karen Basiye.
