Kenya to test run Africa Champs facilities at Nyayo Stadium on July 22

Kenya will stage a dry run to fully test the equipment for the hosting of the 17th Senior Africa Athletics Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on July 22.

This was announced by Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive David Okeyo, after all the equipment arrived in Nairobi. Twice LOC has been forced to shift its goal posts over the test run.

It was to be staged first on June 25, but logistic made it hard for the organisers. July 15 was picked but still it was not attainable as works on the stadium and warm up track are yet to be completed. The country host the Africa senior athletics championship from july 28 to August 1.

"Only the scoreboard and the data processing unit are yet to be secured. However, all the other equipments and works are on course," said Okeyo.

The warm up track and renovation of Nyayo national stadium, the two main areas LOC was yet to work on have been acted upon and technicians from Mondo said they will be ready to hand over by Sunday.

Renovation work on the stadium will cost over Sh10 million and is being hurried up.
The deadline for entry submission expired last night with about 30 countries having sent in their requests.

"As for now we have about 30 countries. But we still have up to midnight to get the other entries and hope all the 44 countries that showed interest will make the cut," said Okeyo.

Among the top nations that were yet to send in their entry by the time of going to press was Nigeria and South Africa.

"They will send their names. They have only made verbal commitments and we wait until Wednesday to confirm who is and who is out," said Okeyo.

Rivalry rekindles

Kenya's main rival in middle and long distance Ethiopia were among the 28 countries that sent in their names by Monday. Others are Burundi, Gabon, Chad, Morocco, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Eritrea, Togo, Swaziland, Liberia, Egypt, Comoros, Gambia, Zambia, Central Africa Republic, Mauritius, and Malawi.

Ethiopia have included perennial Olympic silver medallist Sileshi Sihine in their 10,000m race as they beat yesterday's deadline to submit their entry for the Africa Athletics Championship.

Sihine has incurred injuries in last two years and will be making his first serious attempt at an international championship ever since his silver medals win behind Kenenisa Bekele in Beijing Olympics.

His wife and Africa 10,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba will also be in Nairobi to defend his title. Other top names in the squad include Tariku Bekele and Meseret Defer.

Sudan will be bringing along World Indoor Championship 800m champion Abubakar Kaki, who will renew the rivalry with David Rudisha, the Africa champion.

South Africa won the last championship with 22 medals (12 gold, 2 silver, 8 bronze) beating Nigeria to second with 19 medals (7 gold, 7 silver, 5 bronze). Ethiopia, the hosting country, was third with 15 medals (6 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze) followed by Kenya, winner of 16 medals (5 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze).

These four countries have clearly dominated the championships, capturing a combined 30 of the 44 gold medals. A total of 46 countries took part to the event with 24 countries winning at least one medal.