Honour: First Lady happy as key event kicks off

IAAF WORLD U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS KASARANI STADIUM First Lady Margaret Kenyatta with German team during preparation for the IAAF World U18 Championships at Kasarani Stadium on Monday 10/07/17.Boniface Okendo/standard

As the IAAF World U-18 Championships kick off today at Kasarani Stadium, the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta must be among the happiest persons around.

Mrs Kenyatta has monitored the preparations from scratch to finish and as the patron, she was always keen to ensure Kenya is ready to host the world in Nairobi.

She made her intention for the event known on February 28 when she officially declared total support for the championships while presiding over the launch of the event’s website at Kasarani Stadium.

Rest of the world

“This event is ours, we have to ensure actualisation of its logistics,” the First Lady had stated while adding,” We wish our young athletes the best as they step up training toward the championships.

“This event, we believe, will grant us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our diversity as Kenyans with the rest of the world.”

The sentiments she had expressed back then came to life on Monday afternoon when she made her final tour of the facilities to host the games.

Mrs Kenyatta was impressed with the works that has seen the stadium built in 1987 get a facelift ahead of the opening ceremony today.

She was pleased with the facilities in the main competition arena including the newly laid tartan tracks, the Media Centre, the warm-up track and the accreditation centre for registration while being taken around by Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and LOC Chief Executive Officer Mwangi Muthee among other officials.

Olympic champion

Her entourage also included former and current world beaters including Olympics silver medalist and Boston Marathon winner Catherine Ndereba, reigning and double Olympics 800m champion David Rudisha, 5000m queen Mercy Cherono, world Javelin champion Julius Yego, marathon legend Douglas Wakiihuri and IOC peace ambassador Tegla Loroupe.

First Lady’s nod to the refurbished facilities was also supported by high profile visiting delegates including the IAAF officials.

“These facilities are very good. This is fantastic,” said Olaf Brockmann, an IAAF Press Delegate who is among those managing the Media Centre.

“Such Media Centre is one of its kind,” added Brockmann whose sentiments were echoed by a senior medical Doctor managing the 60-strong team of athletes from Germany.

Other officials from the 135 countries attending the championships concurred that Kenya had put in place facilities and preparations that meet the international standard.

The event is also expected to have a major impact on the Kenya’s tourism sector with millions of people from over 200 countries visiting or watching the high-profile games. [Erick Ochieng]