Kenya to bid 2023 IAAF Worlds: CS upbeat the nation can host senior global event

Packed crowds at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi witnessed the IAAF World Under-18 Championships last month ©Getty Images

• Kenya targets Africa’s first IAAF World Championships
• 2017 World Championships concluded in London on Sunday and have never been staged in Africa

Successful hosting of U18 championship, Africa and Government backing to boost bid.

After successful hosting of the IAAF 2017 World Under-18 Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya will bid to stage the IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2023.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario said they would soon start bidding for the 2023 event. “After we hosted the World Under-18 Championships, which was successful, it’s time we go for the bigger one. That’s hosting the senior event at world championships,” he said.

The superb organisation, record attendance and Kenya’s love for the sport has ignited the drive to stage a major championship in Kenya.

“There are plans to also see us host IAAF Diamond League meeting in future but our target now is the world championship. The government will support it,” said Wario.

The remarks come a few days after African Athletics President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the IAAF Vice President, said the continent ought to host IAAF World Athletics Championships by 2025.

He believes six countries – Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Algeria – have the potential to host the biennial showpiece.

In 2015, IAAF President Sebastian Coe assumed the global athletics helm with a promise that Africa would host major championship under his leadership.

Doha, Qatar, will host the 2019 World Championships while Eugene, USA, stages the 2021 meet.

Jack Tuwei, the Athletics Kenya President, said they extended the discussion to host the global event with IAAF.

“We discussed issues to do with hosting the World Championship and now that 2023 and 2025 has not been taken, we will bid for the rights to host the event.

“We also want to ensure the facilities, bought for the World Under-18, are utilised. That’s we have to bid for a global event,” said Tuwei.

Meanwhile, Wario has praised Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) for ensuring athletes underwent required tests before the competition.

“Adak really worked hard and made sure that all the athletes underwent the required tests as requested by IAAF. Between May and July, a total of 545 in and out of competitions tests were conducted,” said Wario.

At Beijing World championships, two Kenyan athletes failed drug tests and were suspended for four years.

At the same time, the CS has ordered National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) to conduct elections.

“We must conduct NOCK elections immediately, to enable formation of a committee to steer preparation of Team Kenya to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Australia next April,” said Wario.