Over 300 cyclists will be facing off at the 19th edition of Confederation of Africa Cycling (CAC) Road Cycling championships this week in Diani, Kwale County.
The four day championships will start tomorrow, Thursday November 20th to Sunday November 23rd where top riders will be crowned champions.
With Kenya hosting the event for the second year running, Kenya is hosting the event after Eldoret Uasin Gishu County to Diani in Kwale.
CAC President Dr Yao Allan Kouame said that they had to come to Kenya because of the nation’s good hospitality.
“Last year, we were in Eldoret and this year, we are here, something that has never happened, a nation hosting the continental championships in a row but we had to come back because of hospitality and we pay gratitude to Kenyans. This is the first time we are having the biggest contingent of 30 countries and 316 cyclists to tackle to road in the four days,” he said.
He added that it is remarkable that CAC is organizing an event after October, which is unusual because they normally complete their calendar before October.
“This shows that there is something good and special about Kenya that we must learn. All Africa countries that are here feel free and enjoy the championships. Last year, we had good names and we hope this year if the winners will maintain their positions and new champions will be born too,” said then Ivory Coast citizen adding that it was a great deal for the UCI for giving them the event after the cycling season has come to an end.
“I will thank the Kenya cycling federation for giving us this opportunity and all Kenyans for the good organization. All the cyclists are here feast and have a good time,” said Kouame.
Event director is Christophe Impens, has called on all competing cyclists to be ready for a tough competition.
He admitted that Kenya accepted the host the championships after failing to secure a nation to host.
“We are here again for the second year in a row and it wasn’t easy to get a nation to host the championships. We had discussions with the minister to come back to Kenya and he agreed, and that is why we are here,” he said.
“The toughest event will be on Saturday and Sunday where elites and junior will be riding all the way from Diani to Kwale. With the cycling growth in Africa after the UCI Championships in Rwanda that opened the eye of the world, we urge young men and women to take a bike and ride seriously,” said Impens.
With Kenyan athletes running and breaking records across the world, he also urged cyclists to emulate the runners because of the strength in the sport.
“Kenyan leadership has given us this big event that we have only taken six weeks, which is tough. We have to tell the citizens that the roads have to be closed and make sure that we have a safe race in the four days.,” he said.
At the same time, National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) president Shadrack Maluki has promised to take at least 12 disciplines at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.
Maluki said that they are working smart with various federations to ensure they achieve their target.
“NOC-K we are proud to be associated with Kenya Cycling Federation is close to our heart. We are here to develop the nation in sports. Last Olympics, we had six disciplines and we anticipate increasing the discipline and send more than 12 disciplines to Olympics come 2028,” said Maluki.
As president of Judo in Kenya and Africa, he promised to ensure that all the federations are represented just like Judo did in Paris.