Promote cycling in Kenya

Kenya successfully hosted the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Road Cycling Championship in Kapsabet, Eldoret and Iten from October 9 to 13.

This was the first time that the annual continental cycling showpiece was being held in Kenya.

The championship was organised by Belgium-based sports management firm Golazo in conjunction with the ministry of Sports and Kenya Cycling Federation.

Director of Cycling at Golazo Christophe Impens said this week that plans were underway to stage for the very first time a multiple-stage road race in Kenya, open to professional racing teams from around the world.

The “Tour of Kenya” indeed makes a lot of sense in the country and is, in fact, long overdue.

The huge turnout of fans at the Africa championship illustrated Kenyans’ love for international sports.

The wherewithal of the country to organise an event of this stature was praised by none other than World Cycling Union President David Lappartient who personally attended the road race.

We support the plans and hope that this will mark the start of new era in Kenyan cycling. The sport is an endurance race, and if Kenya can dominate the world athletics stage in middle and long distance running with such aplomb, why shouldn’t that talent by harnessed in cycling?

Our regional neighbours, specifically Eritrea, Rwanda and Uganda have excelled in cycling meaning Kenya has the potential to reach their level and even surpass it.

For that to be achieved the country will need a well-managed national federation that has concrete plans for the growth of cycling and, of course, serious investment from the government and all stakeholders. The talent is indeed there.

We look forward to the ‘Tour of Kenya’ and the crop of aspiring stars it may spawn.