The fourth edition of the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, which was held last Saturday at the Lobo village in Eldoret city, delivered a global status Athletics Championship.
From the organisation, the calibre of participants of both local and international invited athletes, the presence of journalists covering the event as well as number of athletics enthusiasts who turned up to cheer and support their athletes, was a true testament of global championship.
Over 1,000 athletes from 40 different nationalities, among them Uganda, Ethiopia, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and host Kenya, competed in six different categories, not forgetting the kids races from 6 to 15 years, which saw over 500 kids curtain raise the main events of the day.
Food Vendors, Bodaboda riders, and athletics enthusiasts traveled from different parts of the country, the majority from the athletics-rich region of Rift Valley, to earn income or witness their superstars brace the blazing afternoon across the Lobo village course.
Kudos to the local organizing committee, led by the meet director Barnaba Korir, technical director Kennedy Tanui, course director Ibrahim Hussein, and the LOC chairman, who is also the Central Rift chairman, Abraham Mutai, have worked tirelessly round the clock to ensure today’s event meets the threshold set by World Athletics.
Sports PS Eng. Peter Tum hailed the organisation for this year’s edition, which he said was quite commendable.
“The ministry of sports and youth affairs is geared towards promoting monetising of talent, and that’s why we registered large numbers, including over 900 youths from schools and over 500 senior athletes, and this has impacted largely on the liveliness of this community and area.”said Tum
Meet Director Barnaba Korir said the future of Sirikwa Classic is bright.
“It shows that AK has come of age in organising international events. We have organised the World Under 18 and the World Under 20.This event was crucial for the athletes to gauge their preparation since the season started late last year. The future of Sirikwa, you can tell, the public has owned it, and we can only maintain or improve from where it is. We thank the government for sponsoring and supporting the event and Absa.We want it to be 50/50 in future sponsorship between the government and private sector.”said Korir
Daniel Simiu successfully defended the 10km men’s title while Agnes Jebet Ng’etich won the women’s race.
The Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour was included in the World Athletics calendar in 2022, and it’s the only gold label cross country meet in Africa.
