David Miano and Jackson Tuwei watch on/ TEDDY MULEI Mary Moraa,(L), Wiseman Were KCB’s Mendi Njonjo signs a Sh8m dummy cheque as (L-R)
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei expects the Sh8m sponsorship package from KCB bank to be a game changer as the country prepares for the 2025 World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The deal, unveiled Tuesday, will cover key upcoming events on the AK calendar. The three-day national championships begin on Wednesday at Ulinzi Sports Complex and the World Championships trials in August.
“Today, we are committing Sh8 million to support key events in the Athletics Kenya calendar. Sh4 million will go into this week’s National Championships and the remaining Sh4 million will support the Tokyo World Championships trials in August,” said KCB Foundation director, Mendi Njonjo.
This will cater for logistics such as athletes’ accommodation, training preparations and other operational needs to ensure Team Kenya is well-armed for the global challenges.
Tuwei praised the move as timely and strategic, noting it lays the foundation for assembling a formidable squad for Tokyo, a crucial step towards LA 2028.
“With the support KCB has given us today, we are going very far. The Tokyo World Championships will be the gateway to much more glory at the 2028 LA Olympic Games,” Tuwei said.
While paying tribute to athletes who continue to elevate the country’s name on the global stage, Tuwei added; “We are proud of our athletes, who continue to shine on the global stage like the marathon record holders in the men’s and women’s races, Ruth Chepng’etich and the late Kelvin Kiptum.”
Tuwei observed that Tokyo holds a special place in Kenya’s athletics history, having been the site of the country’s first Olympic medal, a bronze by Wilson Kiprugut in the men’s 800m at the 1964 Games.
“We will be seeing more of those exciting performances in Tokyo and beyond. Tokyo was the first place we got a bronze medal at the Olympics in 1964 and we have had exemplary results there since,” Tuwei said.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Kenya finished 19th overall with 10 medals (four gold, four silver, two bronze), the highest-ranked African nation.
Japan has hosted the World Championships twice. In Tokyo 1991, Kenya bagged eight medals (four gold, three silver, one bronze) to finish fourth overall.
In Osaka 2007, Kenya finished second behind the United States with 13 medals (five gold, three silver, five bronze). Tuwei expressed confidence that history would repeat itself.
“We wish our athletes well. Make the country happy because you are flying our flag there. Ours as a federation is to ensure we prepare you well for global success,” Tuwei said.
The partnership with KCB could extend beyond the two flagship events, he observed.
“This is not a one-off. We believe this partnership will grow as we continue to develop athletics in the country,” said Tuwei.
He called on fans to turn up in large numbers to cheer on the athletes.
2022 African Championships 400m hurdles bronze medallist Wiseman Were, who has already met the World Championships entry standard (48.50) with a 48.34 clocking at the Kip Keino Classic, welcomed the sponsorship.
“We are sincerely grateful to KCB for the generous support and unwavering commitment to the development of athletics,” said the hurdler.
“The donation is not only timely but instrumental in supporting the national championships and the national trials, which will go a long way in preparing the athletes for the global stage.”
Njonjo, meanwhile, praised AK for their continued efforts in nurturing world-class talent.
“Today marks not just a sponsorship but rather a celebration of Kenya’s proud athletics heritage as well as exceptional talent that continues to inspire us all,” she said.
“We express our sincere gratitude under the leadership of AK for their steadfast commitment to advancing athletics excellence in the country.”
“We are confident that with proper preparations, Kenya will continue to deliver strong performances and bring home an abundance of gold medals in various races,” she added.
“To our athletes, we believe in you whole-heatedly. Our commitment is to ensure you have everything you need to compete at the highest level and we will continue investing in you.”
AloJapan.com