This archive report was first published on 14 September 2021.
Published on September 14, 2021, the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour has become a major event in the world of athletics, with the second edition set to take place at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday.
The event has received a major boost thanks to Absa, who have banked Ksh 20 million to ensure the competition's success.
International athletes are already trickling into the country, led by red-hot Olympic steeplechase champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco, who will face off against Kenya's Olympic bronze medallist Benjamin Kigen, who holds the world's fastest time this season (8:07.12).
"We had a successful first edition of the Kip Keino Classic last year and we are really happy to run it for the second time," said Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amb. Amina Mohammed. "We are excited that it will be a series that will be running for several years to come as Kenya is fast becoming a destination of choice for international sporting events. We want to maintain those standards."
"We had a successful first edition of the Kip Keino Classic last year and we are really happy to run it for the second time," said Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amb. Amina Mohammed. "We are excited that it will be a series that will be running for several years to come as Kenya is fast becoming a destination of choice for international sporting events. We want to maintain those standards." "The world is changing not only in athletics but also other sports programmes," said Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei. "Athletics is evolving fast and the sport has become bigger. We have to be part of that growth. We need to create opportunities and competitions for our Kenyan athletes, organizers and technical teams to have more experiences and prosper." "The world is changing not only in athletics but also other sports programmes," said Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei. "Athletics is evolving fast and the sport has become bigger. We have to be part of that growth. We need to create opportunities and competitions for our Kenyan athletes, organizers and technical teams to have more experiences and prosper." "We are privileged to be part of Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Gold Tour event as the title sponsors and we are confident that it will provide our athletes with yet another chance to live their winning spirit and show the world what Kenya is made of," said Absa Kenya Managing Director Mugo Awori. The event will also feature a stellar men's 100m field, including 2017 world champion Justin Gatlin of the USA and his compatriot Trayvon Brommel, who is the fastest man in the world this year, coming up against latest Kenyan sensation Ferdinand Omanyala. Over 180 athletes, including Kenya's world 1,500m champions Faith Kipyegon and Timothy Cheruiyot, will converge on Kasarani for the Saturday action.
