Only 6,000 fans will be allowed to watch the Kip Keino Classic, the final gold label leg of the World Athletics Continental Tour on October 3 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Amina Mohamed, said the figures will be realised through ticket sales that will be available online on a first-come first-served basis.
“We hope to have 20 percent of the seating capacity at the Nyayo National Stadium that is 30,000 and that should not be more than 6,000 fans,” said Amina during the official launch of the championship at Riadha House on Monday.
“That is the figure we are working on because it is about social distancing to make sure that everybody is safe. It’s about the safety and health of athletes, fans, officials and every one attending the event,” said Amina.
“The tickets will be sold online and the system will close immediately we attain the intended target,” explained Amina, who declared that Kenya is ready to host the event.
However, Amina hinted that they are looking at the request by Athletics Kenya (AK) to have at least 15,000 fans attend the event.
Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture Amina Mohamed (right) shares a word with Kenyan athletics legend Kipchoge Keino during the launch of the Kip Keino Classic on September 21, 2020 at Riadha House in Nairobi.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“We are in discussion with the Ministry of Health but I don’t think that will be possible because the figure is too close. There could be an increase but not that big,” explained Amina.
Amina was accompanied at the launch by the legendary Kipchoge Keino, in whose honour the event is named after, AK president Jackson Tuwei and meeting director Barnaba Korir.
Also in attendance were athletes Leonard Bett (3,000m steeplechase), Mercy Cherono (5,000m) and Mary Moraa (400m), who have already signed up for the Kip Keino Classic.
“Restrictions are from the Ministry of Health but we can only wait to see. They want to safeguard our lives and health, which is important,” said Amina.
“This is the last of the seven gold events in the continental tour and we want to make it memorable. We want to showcase our hospitality and warmth for our people,” said Amina, adding that the Nyayo National Stadium is almost ready for the event.
“The contractors are putting finishing touches especially on the tartan track. We were to launch the event there but we had to move to Riadha House to avoid interfering with the flow,” said Amina.
“I was at the venue last night, went back there this morning and we shall go there right after this to make sure that we have everything in place.”
With Kenya set to host 150 athletes for the event, Amina said it is yet another huge leap in appreciating Kenya’s ability to host mega sports events, having hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships and 2017 World Under-18 Championships.
Amina noted that it is from this resounding success and following a personal guarantee by President Uhuru Kenyatta that World Athletics awarded Kenya the rights to host the World Under-20 Championships initially scheduled for July this year, but rescheduled to August 17-21, 2021.
From left: Athlete Leonard Bett, Olympian Kipchoge Keino, athlete Mary Moraa, Sports CS Amina Mohamed and athlete Mercy Cherono during the launch of the Kip Keino Classic on September 21, 2020 at Riadha House in Nairobi.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Amina paid tribute to Kipchoge Keino for mentoring a generation of the best athletes in and beyond Kenya.
“This event celebrates his enduring spirit and lifelong contributions to the world of sport in and out of competition,” said Amina.
Tuwei said even though the figure of 6,000 fans has been confirmed, it will be good to get additional places.
He said that the organising committee will this week disclose how much they will charge for entry tickets and how to apply for them online.
“The tickets will be bought online only. We must know how to manage and control the crowd from the word go,” said Tuwei.
Tuwei said entries for both elite and local athletes close on Friday this week, but they are due to release the tentative list Tuesday.
