Despite the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) experiencing numerous hurdles during its preparations to host the biennial International Associations of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Nairobi World U-18 Championships, the global event finally kicked-off on July 12 amid joy from fans.
Initially, there were widespread fears that the event would be cancelled by the world’s athletics governing body owing to delayed start to the renovations of Kenyatta University, the team’s residential village. Then there was the sticky issue of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani not being ready for the event.
The good news is that LOC raced against time to make the hosting of the event a success, with IAAF President, Lord Sebastian Coe, paying glowing tribute to the organisers — and calling it an historic moment for the nation.
“Holding World Championships here signifies continued commitment Kenya has for global athletics. This is an extraordinary opportunity to watch talent of the future, where the likes of Usain Bolt, Alison Felix and others all started,” said Lord Coe.
Kenya, the middle and long distance running powerhouse, topped the medal table at the championship’s inaugural 1999 event — then known as IAAF World Youth Championships - in Bydgoszcz, Poland and has continued to produce best performance over years as the championship progressed.
Rio Olympics Games 1500m gold medalist Faith Chepnegtich, former Olympics steeplechase champion Brimin Kipruto, 2013 World Championship 5000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono and former Commonwealth Games champion Augustin Choge are among the country’s top stars who launched their running careers at the IAAF World Under-18 Championships.
The championship will leave a lasting legacy, with Kenyatta University being the first learning institution to have an international standard Mondo tartan track. Kasarani Stadium, a 60,000-seater arena also has a new blue running track, the first in the country. The roads within the stadium have also been tarmacked with lighting also being fixed.
Renovations and laying of tartan track at Kenyatta University’s Nyayo Hostel is said to have cost Sh1 billion, while the work at Kasarani Stadium costed Sh3 billion.
The facelift of the facilities to international standard will help the country bid for other major championships, according to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Culture, Hassan Wario.
“Thank you IAAF for showing confidence in Kenya by giving the country the chance to host the global competition. It is a huge learning curve and we are ready for bigger things. With this kind of facility, we are looking to the future, which is to bid for World Championships and other major games,” said Dr Wario.
Kenya’s traditional track rival Ethiopia, are also impressed by the facilities’ standards.
“Everything is great, from hostels, stadium, transport system and warming up area. We are impressed by the standards,” said Ethiopian team manager Ashebir Demissu Jote, a former marathoner himself.
Nairobi’s event will serve as the final IAAF Under-18 event. Thereafter, successive under-18 events will be continental meets, even though IAAF will continue to support these championships.
It’s an for Kenya to host the last international edition of the championship, given that the country has provided so many memorable performances at the championships since its inception 18 years ago.
Some notable absentees at this year’s championship include United States of America, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Japan and Canada, who withdrew from the event citing insecurity and terrorism. But their withdrawal has not affected the level of competitiveness among the 800 athletes from 130 countries. The host nation Kenya, is expected to post podium finishes in their traditional events, such as 800m, 1,500m, 2,000m steeplechase and 3,000m for both boys and girls.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta is the championships’ patron with Mwangi Muthee as the LOC Chief Executive Officer.
