Kenya on course to host World Athletics Under-20 Championships, Sports CS Amina Mohamed says

Kenya will be ready by June to host World Athletics Under-20 Championships due August 17 to 22 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has said.

Speaking during a tour of the Kasarani facility on Friday, CS Amina said Kenya will conduct a series of dry runs starting mid-June ahead of the global championship.

“I am satisfied with the progress having noticed a big difference since my last tour,” said Amina pointing out that the media centre, the secretariat and the medal holding areas have been upgraded.

The championship was delayed by a year following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected most sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

CS Amina, who was accompanied by the 2021 Nairobi World Under-20 chief executive officer Mike Rabar and Sports Kenya deputy director general Gabriel Komora, said: “A lot of work has been done to ensure the competition venue and Athletes’ Village at Kenyatta University are ready for rehearsals by mid-June.”

“The media tribune has been refurbished, the tartan track was also being refurbished in collaboration with World Athletics track experts.

“The general drainage system at the arena is being worked on while the refurbishment at the Stadion Hotel is almost complete.”

Regarding preparations at the Athletes’ Village, the CS said she had scheduled a meeting next week with the Kenyatta University management to look at the progress of work on the accommodation facilities and the warm-up track.

"The stick glue that was an issue has been imported. The tartan track should be ready for laying at Kenyatta University," she added.

Kenya, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, has successfully hosted international events such World Athletics Continental Tour, the Magical Kenya Open, and Savannah Classic golf tournaments and is on course to delivering the WRC Safari Rally on June 24-27.

Under the direction of the Sports Ministry with help of the Health Ministry, Kenya’s preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are also on track with some of the qualified athletes training bubble camps.