Rescheduled Continental Tour chance to prepare better Korir

The Nairobi Continental Tour Nairobi race director Barnaba Korir believes World Athletics’ decision to have Kenya stage the event on September 26 is an indication the global body has confidence in the country post-coronavirus.

The one-day meet was initially set for May 2 before the COVID-19 pandemic altered global sporting calendars.

In the new calendar of events released by World Athletics on Kenya which is the only African country included in the circuit will be hosting the final leg of the eight-meetings line up.

With the inaugural event now pushed four months ahead, Korir is optimistic Kenya will stage a far more successful extravaganza than the one initially scheduled.

“We are very happy the World Athletics considered our request of rescheduling the event to dates between September 26 – October 3. You will recall that we were facing race against time to organise the initial event as we were still trying to put everything in place but with the postponement, I think we are now going to finalise our plans in time,” Korir told Citizen Digital.

Korir revealed that among the key areas in the preparations is the completion of the renovations at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani which is set to host the event.

With the government set to finance the entire budget, organisers are also on the lookout for sponsors to boost the kitty.

At the same time, Korir who is also the chairman of Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth sub-committee revealed that talks are ongoing for a new date for the World Under-20 championships that were set to be held in Kenya on July before it was called off due to the virus.

“The AK president has been in constant communication with the World Athletics in a bid to set up another date. However, it is certain that the Championships will not be held this year and we are now talking of 2021 or even 2022. The most important thing is that we host the event as the president of World Athletics has reiterated that Kenya still has the hosting rights,” he said.