Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has welcomed Nairobi's successful bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. Namwamba was the Sports Cabinet Secretary in 2023 when Kenya confirmed its intention to bid for the championships after losing the 2025 edition to Tokyo. He expressed his excitement, comparing the event to the FIFA World Cup, stating that it gives Kenya a major opportunity to showcase its athletics heritage to the world.
Kenya subsequently strengthened its bid by improving sports infrastructure and preparing a more comprehensive proposal, eventually securing the hosting rights during the World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest on September 15. This makes Nairobi the first African city to host the senior World Athletics Championships. Namwamba reflected on the announcement, emphasizing the significance of the event and its potential impact on Kenya and Africa.
Namwamba also pointed to the progress Kenya has made in addressing doping concerns since 2023. In 2023, the president of World Athletics, Lord Sebastian Coe, visited Nairobi to address serious doping concerns, and Kenya had been given deadlines to comply, or risk being banned from World Athletics. Namwamba announced a plan of KSh. 600m to combat doping, and three years later, Kenya has won the rights to host the 2029 event, which Namwamba sees as a big victory for the country.
The successful bid reflects a broader government plan to use sport and the creative economy to support economic development and create opportunities for young people. Namwamba participated in writing the plan, which aims to deploy sports and the creative economy to propel economic development and empower young people. He added that hosting major international competitions was among the key objectives of the plan.
Among the targets in the plan was to make Kenya a hub for hosting significant regional and international events. Namwamba prepared a comprehensive long-term plan with three objectives, including revolutionizing infrastructure. The plan has guided Kenya's efforts to improve its sports infrastructure, ultimately contributing to the successful bid.
Namwamba expressed his pride in the country's progress, stating that the 2029 World Athletics Championships will be a major milestone for Kenya and Africa. He compared the event to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, highlighting its significance for the continent. The event is expected to bring together athletes and spectators from around the world, showcasing Kenya's capabilities and hospitality.
The 2029 World Athletics Championships will take place in Nairobi, marking a historic moment for Kenya and Africa. The event will provide a platform for Kenyan athletes to compete on the world stage, while also promoting the country's sports infrastructure and tourism industry. With the successful bid, Kenya is poised to reap the benefits of hosting a major international event.
Key points
- Nairobi will be the first African city to host the senior World Athletics Championships.
- Kenya addressed doping concerns and improved sports infrastructure to secure the hosting rights.
- The event reflects a broader government plan to use sport and the creative economy to support economic development.
