World Athletics delegation expected in Nairobi to assess Under-20 progress

A delegation from World Athletics is expected in the country next week to assess the progress made by Kenya ahead of the upcoming World Under-20 Championships slated for July 7-12 in Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

According to Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jackson Tuwei, World Athletics director of Communications Jacky Brock-Doyle will lead a powerful delegation of 25 that will arrive in Nairobi on February 11.

With five months remaining to the global extravaganza, the delegation from the global body will be making their fourth visit in the country as preparations for the biennial event gathers momentum.

Tuwei revealed that the high-powered delegation will be in the country for two days and will engage with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the event.

“We are having a big delegation of 25 that will arrive in the country on February 11. They will be here on February 12 and 13 to meet the Organising Committee and therefore we are currently preparing for their arrival and the discussions we are going to have,” said Tuwei.

Tuwei who also doubles as the LOC chair allayed fears that Kenya may be behind schedule disclosing that the main venue, Kasarani Stadium, will only undergo minor renovations upon its closure in March.

“We are not going to undertake major renovations apart from certain areas in the stadium including media centre, medical facilities, technical information centre, the warm up track and of course the equipment for Under-20,” said Tuwei.

The event Steering Committee led by Sports Cabinet Secretary ambassador Amina Mohammed on Monday also held a meeting at the Nyayo National Stadium, a week after touring Kenyatta University earmarked to be the athletes’ village.

The visit will come barely a week after another delegation comprising of medical officials toured the country where they engaged with their counterparts in the country.

“The third delegation who were majorly doctors was here last week and were able to take our doctors and physiotherapists through the requirements and expectations ahead of the event. They also fixed a device outside Kasarani to monitor air pollution within Nairobi. We are now looking into a clean place,” added Tuwei.