Kipkeino Classic Moved to Ulinzi Complex As Omanyala, Mujinga Headline Event

• The 2025 Kipkeino Classic will be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on May 31, following the unavailability of Nyayo Stadium
• Ferdinand Omanyala will be the star attraction at home soil alongside former Olympic and world champions
• The government will sponsor the World Athletics Continental Gold event to the tune of KSh 300 million, as confirmed by the Sports CS

The government has confirmed that this year's edition of the ABSA Kipkeino Classic will be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Why has the Kipkeino Classic been moved to Ulinzi?

There had been growing jitters about where the World Athletics event would be held this year as the main stadiums in the country undergo renovation.

Kasarani Stadium and Nyayo Stadium are currently out of bounds as the government steps up renovation works ahead of the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) in August.

Nyayo was initially ready, but the tartan track is being done afresh, rendering it a construction site and therefore unavailable for the Kipkeino Classic.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed that the World Athletics Continental Gold event will be held at the military base along Lang'ata Road.

CS Mvurya: We are ready for Kipkeino Classic

Speaking during the media launch event on Tuesday, May 20, CS Mvurya confirmed the venue change and reiterated that the government was ready to host the rest of the world.

"It is a personal joy and also a big honour for me to officially welcome the world to Kenya. I'm saying the world to Kenya because Kenya is known for athletics. Our profile is very high, and we will continue to profile and ensure that we utilise the positive image that we have within our athletes to also inspire other facets of our economy."

The former Kwale County governor also confirmed that the government had pumped in KSh 300 million into the event.

"I also want to confirm to Athletics Kenya and Kenyans in general that we have already committed to spending 300 million for this event, which we have already approved. And basically, that is also to tell everybody that sporting activities are as serious as any other investment in our country.

ABSA sponsorship at Kipkeino Classic

ABSA Bank has added a further KSh 60 million to the event as part of its continued efforts to support sports and talents in the country. 40 million will go directly into Athletics Kenya as rights and naming fees, while the rest will sponsor other events such as the Sirikwa Classic.

"We believe sport is a powerful force for national unity, pride, and empowering communities for progress. Over the last decade, we have invested over KSh 1.3 billion in Kenyan sports from athletics to golf and football, seeing them as integral in connecting with Kenyans and as platforms to tell the inspiring stories of our athletes," said the bank's Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mwihaki Wachira.

Which athletes will be at Kipkeino Classic?

Ferdinand Omanyala will once again headline the event, looking to bounce back from a poor result last year. Omanyala broke the African record in this event back in 2021.

The event has attracted 89 foreign athletes as Athletics Kenya steps up efforts to reach the Diamond League status.

Other top athletes expected in the country include multiple world indoor champion Mujinga Kambundji, 2016 Olympic javelin champion Thomas Rohler, double world javelin champion Anderson Peters, triple hammer throw Olympic champion Anita Włodarczyk, Liberian sprinter Joseph Fanbulleh, among others.

World U20 champion and fast-rising star from South Africa, Bayanda Walaza, is also expected in the country.

AK President speaks ahead of Kipkeino Classic

Athletics Kenya President General Jackson Tuwei promised the public an exciting day on May 31 as the athletes step up their preparations for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

"We look forward to welcoming world-class athletes to the Kenyan stage and assure the public of a thrilling day of sports as the world turns its attention to Kenya. This will be the perfect battleground ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September."

Omanyala breaks African record

In a related report, Ferdinand Omanyala broke the African record in the men's 150m race at the Atlanta City Games on May 17.

Omanyala won the race with a time of 14.70 seconds ahead of Terrence Jones.

100m world and Olympic champion Noah Lyles was supposed to compete but withdrew due to an ankle injury.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke