Bigwigs will clash in this weekend’s first leg of Athletics Kenya track and field that will be hosted at The University of Eldoret.
The two day event that starts on Saturday to Sunday will be a precursor of the Africa Athletics Championships as well as Olympic Games set for Tokyo, Japan.
Despite the preparations, Athletics Kenya Central Rift has lamented the state of Kipchoge stadium, which was initially set to host the meeting as well as Olympic Games trials. Instea, they have opted for UOE.
Led by region’s chairman Abraham Mutai, said the government should speed the stadium construction since they will be hosting Olympic Games trials in June.
“We are forced to use the substandard track because the tartan stadium is closed. This is not good for both athletes and technical team working hard to ensure that they get correct results,” said Mutai during their final preparations to host the first weekend meeting.
They appealed to the government to complete the renovation of Kipchoge Keino stadium in Eldoret to host both Olympic Games trials since they have the opening leg.
On Tuesday, the leaders from the region visited Kipchoge stadium to see if they can host the weekend meeting as well as the Olympic Games trials but they were shocked that the stadium in its current status cannot host any event.
“Today (Tuesday) we pleaded with county government of Uasin Gishu to give us the lee way into the facility but upon checking it, it is bushy and not fit for athletes, fans and technical officials to host such a championships of the highest magnitude,” said Mutai.
“Remember the last trials that we had here to select a team heading for Rio were best attended, making history in the country and we expect to have a better crowd than that because of the city capacity. We are asking the government to make sure that the stadium is ready before the trials,” said Mutai.