The North Rift region of Kenya is gearing up to host a series of multidisciplinary sporting events in celebration of Mashujaa Day, a national heroes' day. The events, scheduled to take place in Eldoret, Iten, and Kapsabet, will feature competitions in volleyball, football, and athletics, including a marathon. The sports competitions are set to kick off this month, with the final events taking place from October 18 to 20. A total of Sh63 million in prize money is up for grabs, with grassroots athletes from across the region expected to participate.
The Ministry of Sports, in collaboration with the Interior Ministry, has planned the events to showcase athletics talents and promote unity among the participating counties. Kipchumba Rutto, a director at the Ministry of Sports, announced that the events will be staged separately in the different counties, with Elgeyo Marakwet hosting the Madaraka Day marathon on October 18, and volleyball competitions taking place in Nandi on October 19. Uasin Gishu will host the football finals at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, which is also the host of Madaraka Day celebrations.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that the Sh63 million prize money purse will be awarded to winners of various categories in the Mashujaa Day sporting action. He emphasized that the competitions will help promote security and unity in the region, and that state officials, including President William Ruto, will attend the football final at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium. Murkomen also announced that football clubs will be invited to scout for talents during the Mashujaa Day football finals.
The Kipchoge Keino Stadium, which is undergoing a major upgrade to meet Africa Cup of Nations standards, will host the final events. The stadium's upgrade is expected to be completed by December 31, according to timelines disclosed by Sports Kenya in May. The Ministry of Sports and the Interior Ministry will also launch a collaboration to fight doping and Gender-Based Violence, especially in athletics.
The Mashujaa Day celebrations, which were initially scheduled to take place in Elgeyo Marakwet, were relocated to the North Rift region, comprising Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi counties. Murkomen argued that the three counties share many common aspects, including rich athletics talents, and that the sporting activities will be a uniting factor. He also announced that over 10,000 sportsmen will earn from the various sporting events, with at least Sh60 million going directly to the pockets of participants.
The events are expected to promote unity and security in the region, with Murkomen announcing plans to celebrate the recovery of illegal guns and ammunition along the Marakwet East and West Pokot border. The Mashujaa Day celebrations will also feature other activities, including an event to promote peace and unity in the region.
The sports competitions ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations are set to provide a platform for grassroots athletes to showcase their talents and compete for a significant prize money purse. With the final events taking place from October 18 to 20, athletes and sports enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the competitions, which promise to promote unity, security, and talent development in the North Rift region.
Key points
- Sh63 million prize money purse up for grabs in Mashujaa Day sports competitions
- North Rift region to host multidisciplinary sporting events in celebration of Mashujaa Day
- Events aim to promote unity, security, and talent development in the region
