By Feverpitch Reporter
The Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) has set March 13 as new date for its 120km fundraiser relay road race.
The aim of the race that was earlier scheduled for February 27th is to raise money for the Malindi International Karate Clubs Championship slated for the Blue Marlin Hotel on March 25-31.
KKF chairman Caleb Atemi said the race is scheduled to kick off in Mombasa and end in Malindi with both junior and senior karatekas in participation.
"We changed the date after some potential and interested sponsors requested that we do so to accommodate their needs. We also need to give our players, especially at the coast enough time to prepare for the race," said Atemi.
Atemi told the media that he was getting great responses from sponsors: "Following our joint press conference with our Patron His Excellency the Vice President (Kalonzo Musyoka) last week, we wrote to Kenya Airways seeking a favourable price for our visitors, especially from Italy," he said.
Atemi revealed that Kenya Airways has offered them a 10 per cent reduction but the two parties are still in talks.
"We’re hopeful they (Kenya Airways) will eventually give us a much lower price. We have 170 confirmed participants from Rome alone. Many however seek a lower ticket price than what our national carrier is giving," Atemi said that he was waiting for a word from Nacada, Brand Kenya and the Kenya Tourism Board on partnership.
"I am in talks with our premier friend, our national athletic hero Paul Tergat who is still recuperating from the road accident he suffered a while ago. Tergat has given us great support since we started our kick drugs out of Kenya campaigns in Malindi in 2009 and we wish him quick recovery," he said.
In 2009, Tergat and the Commissioner for Sports Gordon Oluoch, joined hundreds of karatekas in cleaning up the beaches of Malindi in an environmental awareness programme and also in talking to drug addicts and the youth on the dangers of drugs.
The federation has signed a contract with the Mombasa based radio station to help in hyping up the event and broadcasting it live during the tournament for the coastal audience. Atemi emphasised the twin theme of the event; to promote sports tourism and mobilise support against drug abuse.
