Kenya is building her muscle to host the World Cycling championships come next to foster sports tourism and monetization of talents in cycling.
While addressing cycling set to compete at the Confederation of Africa Cycling (CAC) Road Cycling Championships that will be held from tomorrow in the three North Rift counties of Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum said that they are using the continental event in the build up for the world event.
“This is an African championship, and we shall make it a world championships come next year. We want to ensure that we get cyclists that can be able to endure to compete favourably in Africa and hopefully be able to compete at the world stage,” said Tum.
He added that cycling is a good exercise for many of people since the lungs will be taking a lot of oxygen and part of exercise.
“Apart from exercising and making our bodies better, we are killing several birds with one stone as we are fighting climate change. The issue of climate change is good because the more we cycle, we emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere then practicing clean environment, which is the agenda of the government and that is what we are trying to do,” he said.
He added that people should travel to Nandi Hills, which is good for holidays since the weather is great for health.
“We are encouraging tourism through sports. Tourists might have not known that we have a new city (Eldoret) and through this, we are able to get many visitors to the region apart from monetizing talents,” he added.
Tum was 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.