International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has selected Kenya as the host of the 2020 IAAF U-20 championship.
IAAF council said in a statement that they are delighted by the readiness of Kenya after it successfully hosted the u-18 edition last year.
IAAF president Sebastian Coe has termed the competition as impressive and the standards are very high.
“The U20 Championships showcases the future of our sport so Kenya, with a young and enthusiastic population and such a rich history in athletics, is a perfect fit for us,” Coe said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta took to social media to pass the good news saying that he is delighted that IAAF has selected Kenya as the host country for the u-20 championship.
I am delighted that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has selected Nairobi as host City of the 2020 #IAAF World Athletics U20 Championships! This is a vote of confidence in our ability to deliver on a massive global event and recognition of our status as a powerhouse in athletics. We set the bar with the U18s, and now we must better it. ASANTE SANA!”
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The event will be held in July 7th 2020 with Nairobi being selected as the host city of the event.
Last year, a crowd of about 60,000 attended the u-18 championship at Moi International Sports centre with a record high participation of a junior event of its kind.
Kenya emerged number four in the five day event bagging 15 medals, four gold, seven silvers and four bronze medals.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa addressed the media informing all Kenyans of the decision to host the championship event.
He assured that proper plans, facilities and structures will be put in place to host the event. “Just concluded a press briefing at my office with the media where I have officially informed Kenyans of the decision that was reached last night in Buenos Aires Argentina by the IAAF council to honor Kenya’s bid to host the prestigious IAAF World Under 20 Championships In 2020 In Nairobi Kenya. This is a great honor to Kenya’s sporting fraternity and a build up towards Kenya hosting major sporting events in the near future.” Said CS Rashid Echesa.