By FeverPitch Reporter
Athletics chiefs paid tribute to David Rudisha’s 1:42.1 African record performance in Rieti on Sunday.
David Okeyo, Athletics Kenya (AK) Secretary General, said Rudisha’s performance was proof of the huge talent inherent in him. "We are proud of him (Rudisha) and wish him well in his future," said Okeyo.
Rudisha, 20, ran 1:42.1 to win in the Rieti Grand Prix, breaking Sammy Kosgei’s 1:46.6 record run in August 1984.
AK chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat, said by breaking the African record, Rudisha proved the two-lap race still ‘belonged’ to Kenya even if (South Africa’s) Mbulaeni Mulaudzi won it in the recent World Championships.
Meanwhile, a delegation of two from African Athletics Confederation is in Kenya to deliberate on the progress of the 17th African Championships in Nairobi next year.
Senegalese Aminata Gueye and Gashaw Zergaw from Ethiopia have been meeting various officials from the Government and private sector to deliberate on the marketing of the event.
Technical staff
"They have been inspecting the grounds and broadcasting equipment for the event," said Okeyo, the event’s chief executive officer.
He said another delegation from the International Association of Athletics Federations would come next week to start training of technical staff.
Okeyo thanked the Government, especially Sports Minister, Hellen Sambili, for gazetting the event.
Meanwhile, organisers of the Madoka 21km marathon intend to increase the prize packages. Athletics Kenya assistant treasurer, Dimmy Kisalu, said yesterday winners would get Sh60,000. Safaricom and Brookside Dairy Limited are some of the major sponsors of the event.
Kisalu said the vent would be held on October 17 at Ngerenyi Farmers Training Centre in the hilly Mwatate constituency, Coast Province.
Kisalu said the marathon would mark its four year and there would be several categories to be competed for. There would be 6km junior women, 8km junior men, 10km senior men and women, veteran women over 35 and men over 40 years categories
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