Barnaba Korir was among six Sports Personalities that were inducted on Friday at the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame.
The Track and Field and Cross country runner who is in-charge of Youth and Development joined Gina Curtis (1998-2003), the five-time All American high jumper, Jack Flemming (1935-1937), the Iowa State second-best basketball player, Jason Knutzon (1995-1999), record gold team player, Seneca Wallace (2001-2002), the Quarterbacks and Don Wengert (1989-1992) the basketball player.
Speaking in USA, Korir, also the Athletics Kenya Nairobi chairman said the feeling was very difficult to express, congratulating Iowa state as one of the best universities in the world both academic and sports.
“To be recognised as having made contributions to its success in track and field is overwhelming. Kenyan athletes are respected worldwide for the impact they have made in sports particularly athletics. It’s time we relook as a nation how we can harness this important sector, which can be done,” said Korir.
According to the event organizers and records, Korir dominated track and cross country races, setting records that still stand up to now.
As a student from 1985 to 1988 at the Iowa University, he was the Six-time Big Eight champion, having won the 10,000m, 5,000m, One Mile, Cross Country, Distance Medley relay and 4 x1,600m between 1987 and 1988.
Apart from that, he is also a three-time all-America 5,000m and cross country champion.
He also won three titles during the 1988 Big Eight Indoor Championships where he was declared the most valuable athlete.
With all these accolades, Korir said the nation has to do more to Kenyan athletes urging President Uhuru Kenyatta, whom he describes as a man who loves sports as well as his sports cabinet secretary Ambassador Amina Mohammed.
“The president has sports development at heart. The formation of the sports fund is a milestone in itself and its management will ensure sports across the board will grow. The CS For sports Ambassador Amina Mohammed has shown the determination to change how sports is managed. With her goodwill, it’s upon the federations to ensure that focus is on the athlete and all other aspects is done professionally and within the Rules,” said Korir.