Omanyala on what Kenya needs to host Diamond League meet
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 31.05.25. | 15:24
The only African meet in the 14-leg series is held in Rabat, Morocco
Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has backed Kenya to host a leg of the prestigious World Athletics Diamond League, if the government unlocks the gates of the iconic Kasarani Stadium.
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The African 100m and 150m record holder, who has trotted the globe competing in top-tier meets, believes the country has what it takes to stage the continent’s first Diamond League event outside Morocco.
"The potential here is huge. With the right support—say, access to Kasarani Stadium and the will to fill it we could definitely host a Diamond League event in Kenya," Omanyala said during the Kip Keino Classic press briefing.
The stadium is currently under renovation to meet CAF standards for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). It has a rich athletics legacy, having previously hosted the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships among other events.
As for himself, Omanyala is on a mission to reclaim his fire after a lukewarm outing in the 2024 edition of the event, where he clocked 10.03 to finish fifth in a race won by Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek.
“This season is long, stretching all the way to September, and the biggest win right now is not necessarily crossing the line first, but finding the rhythm.
Before this season began, I took a seven-month break, and Rabat last week reminded me that my star has not dimmed," he said.
The atmosphere at the Ulinzi Complex is expected to be electric, with Omanyala’s showdown against South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza tipped as a marquee clash.
The World U20 100m and 200m champion stunned the athletics world in March when he became the joint fifth fastest junior of all time, clocking 9.99 seconds to break his country’s Under-20 record.
“In many ways, I say this race is my agemate. We’ve grown together in professional sprinting, and it’s exciting to see the hype around the 100m building,” Omanyala reflected on the evolution of the event.
While his focus remains on finding his rhythm and speed, Omanyala is clear about the bigger picture of inspiring a generation and helping place Kenya firmly on the global sprints map.
“But beyond medals and meet records, my legacy will be measured by the lives I’ve helped inspire. Take Tokyo’s 4x100m qualification, for example. That was not just my moment, it was ours," he concluded.
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