This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
On December 6, 2019, Ethiopian ambassador to Kenya, Meles Alem Tikea, emphasized the need for regional countries and Africa to organize their own international meetings that cater to the needs of athletes.
Speaking during the official opening of the Athletics Kenya Athletes' Conference at Sirikwa Hotel, Alem stated that Africa has the capability and resources to host major events that can be an envy to the rest of the world.
He challenged Athletics Kenya, Athletics Ethiopia, and the Confederation of Africa Athletics to come out of their comfort zone and take the initiative to host a meeting featuring events that have been left out, such as the 10,000m, 5,000m, 3,000m steeplechase, and 200m races.
Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago and Nandi County Governor Stephen Arap Sang backed Alem's sentiments, calling on Kenya and Ethiopia to engage in exchange programs for athletes.
According to Alem, the sentiments come after World Athletics and Diamond League scrapped several races, including the 10,000m, 5,000m, 3,000m steeplechase, and 200m, from real-time coverage during the 2020 season.
Alem represented EA president Deratu Tule and legendary athlete Haile Gebrselassie during the conference and described Kenya and Ethiopia as the beauty of international athletics.
“I wonder how the world would contemplate not to have marathon, 10,000m, 5,000m, and steeplechase,” said Alem. “Besides doping, scrapping of these events is the biggest threat to Kenya and Ethiopia's heritage in athletics.”
