Sports Principal Secretary (PS) Elijah Mwangi believes hosting the World Athletics Championships in Nairobi would carry special significance for Kenya and its athletesDownload our Mozzart Sport app for more newsKenya has submitted a bid to host either the 2029 or 2031 edition of the championships, with Nairobi competing against Rome, Munich, and London for the opportunity.The World Athletics Council is expected to announce the successful bids for the two editions on Tuesday, 15 September.##NAJAVA_MECA_9952666##Should Nairobi’s bid succeed, the Kenyan capital would become the first African city to stage the World Athletics Championships, adding another major international athletics event to the country’s hosting record.The sports administrator, however, says the significance goes beyond hosting rights.He believes a home championship would allow Kenyan athletes to compete before their supporters at a global event.Kenyan youngster athlete signs professional deal with Swiss sports brand“We know Kenya is a sporting nation, and, globally, we have dominated athletics for many years. From marathons to the shorter races, our athletes have consistently represented the country at the highest level,” Mwangi told K24 Sports.“That is why the 2029 bid is very critical for us. We hope that when the World Athletics Council announces the hosts for 2029 and 2031 on September 15, Kenya will be identified as the winner.”Date to decide Kenya's bid to host 2029 World Athletics Championships announcedThe Sports PS believes staging the championships on home soil would also provide a unique platform for the country’s young athletes, many of whom have built their careers competing at local and international events.“Hosting the event will have great significance for Kenya because our youth, who have been competing locally and internationally, will have a chance to do it on home soil,” he added.Kenya previously bid to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships but was unsuccessful.Eliud Kipchoge backs refugee athletes ahead of historic Olympics debutMombasa hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships, while Nairobi staged the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships.The government has also pointed to Kenya’s experience hosting major events in other sporting disciplines as part of the country’s credentials.“We have come of age in terms of sports in Africa. We have hosted the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), we are preparing for AFCON next year, we have hosted the Safari Rally, the Magical Kenya Open, and many other international sporting events,” Mwangi said.##NAJAVA_MECA_9952667##Kenya’s proposed venue for the championships is the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which is currently undergoing a major facelift ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.The World Athletics Championships bring together the leading track and field athletes from across the globe, attracting worldwide attention and providing host cities with an opportunity to showcase their tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, and investment potential.
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