Venue change on the cards for this year's Kip Keino Classic
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 16.05.25. | 09:35
Works to lay a new tartan track at Nyayo Stadium have experienced delays, forcing Meet Directors to seek an alternative facility
This year’s edition of the Kip Keino Classic scheduled for Saturday 31 May may have to be moved from Nyayo National Stadium, owing to delayed renovations at the facility.
In a story first reported by Daily Nation, works to lay a new artificial tartan track at Nyayo have stalled, forcing Meet Directors to seek an alternative venue, preferably Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.
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In addition to the ongoing works at the 30,000-seater facility in readiness for the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) set for August this year, it is reported that the overlaying of a new tartan track has been delayed due to heavy rains in the country.
“The work on the new tartan track was delayed because of the playing surface, and more so, the weather has not been conducive,” Kip Keino Classic Meet Director Barnabas Korir told Nation Sport on Thursday.
Admitting to a possible venue change, the Athletics Kenya Administrator added: “There should be no worry about the certification of the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Ibrahim Hussein, who is qualified to rate the venue, has been involved. Timetronics, the company handling the live broadcast, has also surveyed the facility.”
Should the plans, said to be “at an advanced stage” come to fruition, it will become the first time the Kenya Defense Forces facility will stage the meet, which will be marking its sixth edition this year.
Previous editions, beginning in 2020, have only been held at Nyayo and Moi International Sports Stadium - Kasarani.
Speaking on the logistics around a smaller venue - Ulinzi Complex holds 8,000 fans - Korir said: “The Stadium capacity won’t allow the huge numbers that have attended the event before.
Organizers will have to introduce an entry fee to manage crowd size.”
The development comes a day after the event’s media launch set for Thursday 15 May was postponed, with no date announced as yet.
Star athletes already confirmed for the event include: Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambunji, Olympic hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers, and reigning men’s javelin bronze medalist Anderson Peters.
