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The sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour is set for this Saturday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Unlike the past meets, this year’s edition will accommodate fewer spectators: a maximum of 10,000, unlike Nyayo, which has been accommodating 20,000, and the 60,000-seater Kasarani stadium.
To control the number of limited spectators, organisers have introduced entry tickets for the 1st time, with regular tickets going for Ksh 200 and Ksh 2,000 for VIP tickets.
In support of the youth athletics camps in the country, the meet director, Barnaba Korir, announced that all the gate collections will be channelled towards another course of purchasing shoes and training kits for athletes in various primary schools and camps across the country.
“The resources that the government gives us are seen through what we produce for the camps,”said Korir
Speaking in an interview with KBC, Korir said the majority of the athletes at the camps lack shoes, and neither the federation nor the government is in a position to provide these essentials; hence, there is a need to be innovative and utilise the entry fees for this year. Kip Keino Classic to support the youth runners.
“We manage the athletes, and we give all the support that is necessary. What we are saying is the government cannot buy the shoes for everybody. AK cannot buy shoes for everyone or clothes for everyone. We are saying now that if we get something from this event, that money will definitely go to the buying of the shoes for these kids.”
According to Korir, who is also the Youth Director at the federation, they have identified schools and camps that need help and will be prioritised.
“We have identified the schools that really need help. We have bought some and some are remaining because the money and the resources are not enough,”He clarified
He called on Kenyans to come out in numbers on Saturday and be part of the noble course.
“We can say also Kenyans contribute something for a child somewhere in primary school. We have Chena in the coast at Mombasa Primary School. We have another one in Garissa. We have others in western Nyanza; those schools might not be able to have shoes, and these kids want to run.”Korir asserted
Korir clarified that all the monies collected from gate collection will be used transparently and strictly for intended purposes.
“If we get that money, we will buy the shoes, and we will declare how much money we get. We buy those shoes. It’s very simple to know if one shoe is Ksh 3,000. We know if we make 2 million, that is 600 students that will benefit, and it makes a lot of difference. I have seen it myself. I have given them shoes. It does make a lot of difference. So that’s what we want.” Concluded Korir
The meet will begin with national and discretionary events before culminating with core events in the afternoon.
