Complete Kamariny stadium in honor of Kiptum, say Elgeyo Marakwet leaders

Iten,

Thursday, October 12, 2023

KNA by Alice Wanjiru

Leaders from Elgeyo Marakwet County have called on the national government to complete Kamariny stadium and rename it in honor of the Chicago Marathon world record breaker Kelvin Kiptum who hails from the county.

Speaking in Iten town during a ceremony to welcome him home after he broke the world Marathon record, the leaders called on the national government to expedite the completion of the stadium to offer training facilities to hundreds of athletes from the county who do not have a place to train.

Led by the Governor Wisley Rotich, the leaders said Kamariny which was established in the 1950’s is the oldest stadium in the country but has never been upgraded to international standards.

“We hope that Kiptum’s win and the world record will attract partners to work with the county in developing Kamariny and other fields where more athletes can train,” Governor Rotich said.

He said the completion of Kamariny stadium will encourage sports tourism in the county as athletes from all parts of the world come to witness where the world champions train.

Speaker Philemon Sabulei called on the national government to join the county government in this historical occasion in building more champions among the many young people inspired by Kiptum’s fete by providing them with a world class training facility.

He hailed the governor for using the meagre resources to support athletes in the county by rehabilitating part of Kamariny to ensure that at least athletes can train efforts he said should be supported by the national government.

The sentiments were also supported by Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei who said the availability of a training facility will go a long way in producing more champions in different races.

He said Kenya has had a long list of world record breakers in Marathon citing Douglas Wakiihuri, Paul Tergat, Wilson Kipsang Dennis Kimetto, Eliud Kipchoge, Tegla Lorupe and Bridgit Kosgey among others.

Kiptum on his part called on his fellow athletes to train hard and avoid cheating which he said was the secret to his sterling performance.

Sports cabinet secretary Ababu Namwamba in a meeting with county officials said the government will construct an elite training centre which will be equipped to international standards at Kamariy stadium.

The CS said Kamariny cannot be used for competitions due to the high altitude but can serve as a training facility.

Courtesy; KNA