Murkomen inspects stadia, calls for medal success at World Championships

Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen briefed by Eng Jude Loveday University of Nairobi Enterprise Services Consultants and Daniel Wu China Jiangxi International Kenya Main Contrator on the renovation progress at Moi International Sports complex, Kasarani. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, joined by Permanent Secretary Engineer Peter Tum, flagged off the Kenya Under-20 athletics team on Friday, August 23, as they embarked on their journey to the World Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru.

The competition, set to take place from August 27 to 31, 2024, has Athletics Kenya (AK) confident in the young team's potential to bring home medals.

In his first major event as Sports CS, Murkomen commended the athletes for their dedication and hard work that earned them a spot in the prestigious tournament. He urged them to represent Kenya with pride, especially in light of the national team’s recent performance at the Paris Olympics.

"As a country, there are various opinions about recent events, but once you step beyond our borders, you become a significant ambassador for Kenya," Murkomen stated, stressing the responsibility the athletes carry on the global stage.

He expressed his gratitude to Engineer Tum and AK President Jackson Tuwei for their relentless efforts in talent identification and development. He also pointed out the importance of a structured approach to nurturing young athletes, revealing plans to formalize collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This partnership aims to support schools with promising athletes by enhancing their training facilities.

"The government is committed to constructing high-standard sports venues to foster local talent. The ministry will soon formalize stadium construction standards to ensure our facilities meet certification requirements for various sports. We will continue establishing sports academies nationwide and identify key areas for different sports disciplines. An MoU will provide full scholarships for athletes, leveraging this infrastructure to develop talent,” he explained.

Reflecting on Kenya’s performance at the 2022 championships in Cali, Colombia, where the country finished fourth with 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals, Murkomen called on the athletes to aim higher. The team is set to face formidable competition from athletics powerhouses like the United States, Jamaica, and Ethiopia.

In response to concerns about Kenyan-born athletes competing for other countries, Murkomen framed this as a form of labour export, consistent with the Kenya Kwanza administration's job creation agenda. He encouraged Kenyans to support these athletes, noting that their successes ultimately benefit the country when they return home.

Engineer Tum praised the sector's organization and assured the athletes that, despite recent changes in leadership, the ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting their performance.

AK President Jackson Tuwei, who will accompany the team to Peru, expressed his confidence in their ability to deliver more medals. He thanked President William Ruto for his unwavering support and urged the athletes to seize this opportunity, as their current age group could be key to representing Kenya in the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Stadia inspection

Following the team’s departure, Murkomen conducted inspections at several stadia, including the Moi Sports Complex Kasarani, Nyayo Stadium, and Talanta Sports City Stadium. Joined by Defence Cabinet Secretary Sopian Tuya, he assured the country that the ongoing construction and renovation works are on schedule. The efforts are crucial as Kenya prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“We want to upgrade our stadiums to international standards. We have been caught up in this problem, and going forward, never again will we outsource qualifiers to other countries,” Murkomen asserted.

He also outlined the ministry's plan to complete renovations at Kasarani by the end of November, with CHAN being hosted in Kenya next year.