Safaricom unveils Sh80m for 14-meet series
What you need to know:
- The track and field meets will culminate into the Olympic Trials from June 29 to July 2 in Eldoret.
- The Africa Championships are due for June 21 to 26 in Durban, South Africa.
- Rio Olympics Games are scheduled for August 12 to 21 in Brazil.
- The National Deaf Athletics Championships planned for June 3 to 4 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Safaricom on Monday unveiled Sh80m sponsorship for the fourth edition of the Safaricom Athletics Series featuring 14 meets.
This year’s series features track and field events which incorporated six legs of Athletics Kenya Series that ended in Eldoret on April 16, and Thursday’s national championships that will be used to select a team for Africa Championships.
While handing over the sponsorship cheque to AK president Lieutenant General (rtd) Jackson Tuwei in Nairobi on Monday, Safaricom’s Director of Corporate Affairs Stephen Chege said that the track and field meets will culminate into the Olympic Trials from June 29 to July 2 in Eldoret.
The Africa Championships are due for June 21 to 26 in Durban, South Africa while the Rio Olympics Games are scheduled for August 12 to 21 in Brazil. The National Deaf Athletics Championships planned for June 3 to 4 at the Nyayo National Stadium is the other track and field event in the series. The rest of the series calendar features 11 short road races, half marathon and marathon races.
Chege said their sponsorship has been reviewed downwards from Sh110 million last year since the World Relay Championships will not be held this year.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Track and Field series culminating in the national championships will cost Sh22m, the long distance races Sh16m, Deaf Athletics Sh5m and Olympic trials Sh 3m.
“Our athletes are our source of national pride and it’s our desire that they prepare well ahead of the Africa Championships heading to the Olympics,” said Chege.
Chege noted that the success of Kenyan athletes requires all partners (sponsors and government bodies) to play their role. “We must not let our athletes down by failing to meet their expectations,” said Chege.
Chege further pledged his support to Kids athletics, with Tuwei indicating that the Kids Athletics Programme will be launched by Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario on May 30.
Chege urged Kenyan athletes to strive and win clean devoid of doping. “We are known for using our natural talent to win and that is what we should advocate for,” said Chege.
Tuwei said AK is determined to prepare and select strong teams for Africa Championships, World Junior Championships and ultimately the Olympics. “We led at the World Championships last year and we must uphold that status in Rio,” said Tuwei.
