Zimpapers Logo

NAIROBI. — Kenya is to launch a bid to host the athletics world championships in 2023 after successfully staging two other international competitions in the last 10 years.

No African nation has ever staged the sport’s flagship event, but Kenyan sports minister Hassan Wario said Kenya had shown its capability when it brought together athletes from 130 countries to compete in the IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi in July.

“We have shown that we are capable to host smaller events, and it has now reached a time when we should host big competitions,” said Wario at a welcome reception for Kenyan athletes who finished second overall at the just-concluded world championships in London, beaten only by the United States.

“Kenya became the first African nation to win the world championship in Beijing in 2015.” — AFP.