This archive report was first published on 6 October 2021.
Published on October 6, 2021, Kenya has officially submitted its bid to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships. The country is banking on its status as home to many of the greatest athletes of all time, and the country's love for athletics, coupled with strong backing from the government and the private sector to pull off the event.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei confirmed that the country beat a Friday, October 1 deadline set by World Athletics to submit its bid documents. The fact that Kenya successfully hosted the World Athletics U-18 Championships in 2017 and the World Athletics U-20 Championships in 2021 is expected to play in the country's favor.
Kenya's interest in hosting the World Athletics Championships was first revealed in 2019 by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed after the World Athletics Championships in Doha. Successful host nations have to invest an estimated $70 Million to $80 Million (Ksh7 Billion – Ksh8 Billion) to stage the championships.
Organizers are keen on the completion of Jamhuri Park Sports Complex along Ngong Road and Kiambu's Kirigiti stadium as well as the use of Nyayo Stadium. The track installed at Kasarani Stadium in 2017, which would be the main event arena, could also be overhauled.
A selection panel is expected to visit the country in the first quarter of 2022 to inspect the country's ability to host the championships before presenting its report to the World Athletics Council. The council will assess the bids, considering factors including the venues, transport infrastructure, security, accommodation, marketing and more.
