This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
November 27, 2019 - The Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret and Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet are two iconic athletics facilities in the Rift Valley region that have been the conveyor belt of talent for years.
However, despite the national government's promise to refurbish the facilities in 2017, they remain in a deplorable state, leaving athletes desperate and coaches struggling to train.
Two-time Linz marathon winner Elias Kiptum lamented, 'It is a shame that we were celebrating Eliud Kipchoge's victory the other day yet we are suffering with nowhere to train.'
Coaches are also not spared, with many opting to use roads for training, exposing themselves to grave danger. 'I find it difficult to train athletes during rainy season because the stadiums are muddy; it's really shameful,' said Benard Chepkong'a, an Eldoret-based athletics coach.
Some athletes attribute their poor performance in international races to the poor sports facilities. 'We are facing serious challenges from Ethiopian athletes in 3,000 meters steeplechase because they have good facilities, for now we have to just concentrate,' Kiptum said.
CEC in-charge of sports in Elgeyo Marakwet County Anita Kimwatan blames the national government, saying the future of athletics in the country is at risk. 'The county government had commenced renovation of Kamariny in 2015 in phases with a paltry Sh200, 000 being allocated, but it remains just that, a pledge!' she said.
