The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has awarded Kenya the rights to host the 2020 IAAF World Athletics U20 Championships.
The IAAF Council in Buenos Aires on Thursday endorsed Nairobi to host the games, noting the East African country’s enthusiasm for athletics.
“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,” IAAF president Sebastian Coe said.
“We hope that awarding these championships will further encourage the development of athletics in Kenya and all over Africa, which is such a vibrant part of our international federation.”
During the 2017 U18 Championships, crowds of up to 60,000 packed Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, creating an exciting atmosphere for the young athletes who had gathered from around the globe.
In a recent visit to the IAAF headquarters in Monaco, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Sports, Ambassador Kirimi Kaberia, promised his country would stage a good show for the world in 2020.
“Athletics is a very important part of our life. Everyone loves athletics in Kenya. You saw it during the world under 18 and you will see it again in 2020,” he said.
The championships are scheduled for 7-12 July, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed the announcement that Kenya will host the 2020 IAAF World Athletics U20 Championships, saying it was a recognition of the country’s reputation as an athletics’ powerhouse.
