First Lady pledges support to World U-18 games

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has said she is fully behind the forthcoming IAAF World U-18 Athletics Championships to be held in Nairobi in July.

Kenyatta said she is pleased with the preparations for the championships to be hosted by Kenya from July 12-16.

The First Lady yesterday visited the Games Village at Kenyatta University and the championships venue at Kasarani stadium and was pleased with the progress at the sites.

“After the visits I am confident that the actualisation of the logistics are on course. I believe we will stage one of the best junior championships in the world,” she said.

Kenyatta, who is also the patron of the high profile junior event, said the Government is proud of and will give full support to the young athletes.

The competitors are currently in residential camps across the country preparing for the event ahead of the national trials slated for June in Nairobi.

“We wish our young athletes the best as they step up training towards the championships. This event, we believe, will grant us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our diversity as Kenyans with the rest of the world,” she said.

The First Lady was speaking at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi where she presided over and graced the launch of the official championships website yesterday.

While praising the website, the First Lady said it will act as a nerve centre for participants and stakeholders involved in the championships.

“I urge those in charge of the website to ensure it works best to the development of the country because it is now the primary contact of Kenya to the rest of the world who are eager to register and take part in the event,” Kenyatta said.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario, who accompanied the First Lady, said the Government will spend a total of Sh5 billion to ensure success of the event.

He added that the Government will also spend Sh3 billion towards preparations for the African Football Championship (CHAN) that Kenya will host in January 2018.