Chandaria to build track in honour of Rudisha

By Erick Ochieng'

The Chandaria Foundation will build a modern track in Kilgoris in honour of Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha.

This follows the athlete’s consistent world class performances raising the bar in top international championship, the latest being the London Olympic Games.

The Chandaria Foundation has set aside Sh10 million that will be used to build for Rudisha a track in an area of his choice in Kenya. The track will be known as The Chandaria- Rudisha Running Track.

The track will be used to identify, nurture and expose upcoming talents for future Olympics.

This comes barely a day after mobile phone services provider Safaricom fulfill ed Rudisha’s wish by pledging support to sprint athletes.

Rudisha started off as a 200m and 400m runner, but lack of serious competition and dearth in technical support by coaches forced him to switch gears to the 800m, where he has dominated winning almost every event in the last four years.

His most significant moment was in London Olympics where he won gold in a new world record of 1:40.91.

The idea to credit Rudisha with the track gift came as a gift from Manu Chandaria’s wife Aruna. Chandaria and Aruna explained there is no better way to reward the world champion than to build for him a monument that will stay for ages in his honour.

Rudisha, was lost for words, but when he caught his breath, he thanked the Chandarias for their kind gestures saying it is an act he will never forget in his life.

“My desire since I started competitive athletics was to see short distance and sprint athletes get sponsorships, endorsements and infrastructures that would help them grow their talents. Today this dream has been fulfilled.

“There are many athletes in the rural areas who are good in short races but they cannot just make it due to lack of sponsorship. I believe the track will open more opportunities for them as they train and pursue their dream in athletics. When you help a child who is in need they will never forget you in life when they grow and achieve their dreams, “said Rudisha.