Safaricom announces KES 66.5 million sponsorship for the World Athletics Under 20 Championships
With the selection of Kenya to host the World Athletics U20 Championships Nairobi 21, set to take place on 17-22 August at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Safaricom has announced a KES 66.5 million sponsorship. This will cater for the internet during the entire event including connectivity at the fully kitted media center and media tribune. The internet access will also extend to the score recorders’ office, event management office as well as Nyayo National stadium which is reserved as the training grounds, COVID-19 testing, and accreditation center for all the athletes.
“We are thrilled to be supporting this unique event which brings together over 1,000 young competitors from around the world and we hope that the Kenyan participants will draw inspiration from the athletes who represented the country at the Olympics. We look forward to an exciting championship and cannot wait to cheer on the upcoming stars as they go beyond and represent their respective nations,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom.
Kenya had proved its ability to host a major athletics competition following the 2017 IAAF under 18 championships which were also held at the same venue and attracted 60,000 spectators in each of the final two days, the highest number of spectators ever recorded in the championship. Kenya finished 4th overall and 2nd in Africa after winning 15 medals including 4 gold medals.
This year, however, the event will be spectator free and only over 1,000 competitors from 128 countries are expected to compete in the global track and field event which was postponed from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenya is the defending World Under 20 champions having topped the medal standing in Tampere, Finland in the last edition in 2018. African U20 1500m champion Vincent Keter, African U18 3000m champion Zena Jemutai Yego, and African U18 800m silver medallist Sheila Chepkosgei are among the athletes on the team. The following is the full list of the team.
WOMEN
100m: Mercy Chebet
200m: Louise Morara
400m: Sylvia Chelangat
800m: Sheila Chepkosgei, Brenda Chebet
1500m: Purity Chepkurui, Winny Jemutai
3000m: Teresia Muthoni, Zena Jemutai
5000m: Maurine Cherotich, Zena Jeptoo Yego
3000m steeplechase: Jackline Chepkoech, Faith Cherotich
100m hurdles: Agnes Ngumbi
400m hurdles: Agnes Ngumbi
10,000m race walk: Margaret Gati
High jump: Zeddy Chesire
Long jump: Zeddy Chesire
Triple jump: Fatuma Winny
Shot put: Maureen Milka
Discus: Linda Kageha
Javelin: Martha Musaai
MEN
100m: Sylvester Simiyu
200m: Jonathan Muasya
400m: Elkanah Kiprotich, Edwin Kipyegon
800m: Noah Kibet, Emmanuel Wanyonyi
1500m: Vincent Keter, Emmanuel Lemama
3000m: Bernard Kibet, Daniel Kinyanjui
5000m: Levi Kibet, Benson Kiplangat
3000m steeplechase: Simon Kiprop, Amos Serem
110m hurdles: Patrick Muindi
400m hurdles: Peter Kithome, Allocious Kipngetich
10,000m race walk: Harrington Wanyonyi
High jump: Dennis Maina, Sid Markus
Shot put: Dominic Kiprotich
Discus: Titus Kiptoo
Javelin: Wilson Letunyie
EMAIL: [email protected]
