Over 100 riders from 22 African nations are set to compete at the 7th edition of the Confederation of Africa Cycling (CAC) Road Cycling Championships in the three counties of North Rift starting tomorrow, Wednesday October 7th to Sunday October 13th.
With Kenya hosting the event for the first time, the government through the ministry of Sports is optimistic that the event will be part of selling the country and the counties to the rest of the world through sports tourism.
The event will officially start tomorrow traversing the counties of Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet with the final event set for Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County come Sunday afternoon.
Speaking during the launch of the five day event in Kapsabet, Nandi County, Sports Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Peter Tum said that the country is ready to host the continental championships that may lead to the global stage come next year.
“We must have come up with this venture in western side looking at great cyclists who can contribute fully to the economy of this country. This side has the best altitude that we are very certain that we shall get very good cyclists from here,” said Tum.
Accompanied by Nandi county Deputy Governor Dr. Euliter Cheruiyot Mitei, Nandi County CECM for sports Rose Angira and her Uasin Gishu County Sports and Elgeyo marakwet counterparts Lucy Ngeno Njoroge and Purity Koima said that the region has also produced top athletes that have ruled the world.
“Science has proved that good cyclists are also good athletes just by looking at their body physique says it all,” said Tum.