By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The World Masters Athletics Championships could return to Africa for the first time since 1997 should Kenya’s bid to host the biannual event receive a pass from the global body.
African Masters Athletics president Dr. Rose Tata Muya says through collaboration of the country’s Ministry of Sports and the local federation, they will submit a convincing bid in an attempt to bring the championships on the continent for the second time.
The outdoor Masters Athletics Championships involves non-elite athletes who are aged 35 and above.
“We have been given the opportunity to submit our hosting bid in 2032. It will be a collaboration between the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya. We have been going out to take part in the championships and now we feel it will be noble if it comes home.”
Since its inception in 1975 in Toronto, Canada, the competition has only been staged in Africa once. South Africa remains the only country to have hosted the world on the continent in 1997 and that factor could place Kenya at the pinnacle to get the nod for the 2032 event although should the other needed requirements such as infrastructure be met.
The previous 25 editions, 12 have been hosted by European countries while Asia has been handed two hosting opportunities including this year’s show in Daegu, South Korea.
New Zealand, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States of America are other nations which have staged the competitions previously.
Kenya has participated in the World Masters Athletics Championships since 2016 following a debut in Perth Australia.
Dr. Rose Tata Muya who serves as the Secretary General of the Athletics Kenya Masters was elected unopposed last November as the president of Africa Masters Athletics (AFMA) and part of her commitment is to bring top notch competitions on home soil of Africa.
“We are hopeful, there is a huge possibility that they will be open to give us the chance because in Africa it’s only South Africa which has hosted the event and it was a long time ago. Kenya is a powerhouse in athletics for both elite and the Masters. I hope they can help us because we have made tremendous steps in infrastructure development. And we could expect about 110 participating countries.”
