African XC postponed over coronavirus concerns

The 6th African Cross-Country Championships that was slated for Lome, Togo in April 8 has been postponed over the fears of coronavirus.

In a statement, the Confederations of Africa Athletics (CAA) said it pushed the biennial event to next year, as global sporting events continue to be adversely affected by the flu-like virus.

Athletics Kenya (AK) Senior Vice President in charge of competition Paul Mutwii confirmed to Citizen Digital that the championships has been cancelled.

With the World Cross Country also slated to be held next year, the athletics calendar is thus set to be stretched further.

“It is true that the event won’t be happening because of the virus. I think it will be very difficult for the event to be held next year considering that we will be having the World Cross Country Championships,” said Mutwii.

AK has also halted the athletes’ clearance for any international event for the next one month following a directive from the government through the Ministry of Sports.

Kenya had already selected a team for the continental championships in the national championships held on February 15.

The event was earlier earmarked for March 1 but was postponed owing to the presidential elections that were held on February 22.

Togo is one of the African countries with confirmed cases of the virus.