Absa Bank Kenya have pumped Kshs 40 million into the fifth edition of the Kip Keino Classic, a World Continental Tour Gold Meeting, scheduled on April 20, 2024 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Absa Bank Kenya are once again going to be the main title sponsors of this year’s event and have invested heavily towards the organisation and staging of the event.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Absa bank’s Consumer Banking director Moses Muthui said Absa’s sponsorship of the event is in line with its longstanding passion for sports.
“Absa believes in supporting Kenyan sports. Over the past 10 years, we have invested over Ksh 1.2 billion in sports including golf, athletics and football, among others. We remain committed to this endeavor because we believe your story matters,” said Muthui.
The event was also attended by Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum, Athletics Kenya (AK) president Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jack Tuwei and deputy speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss Shollei.
While addressing the press during the launch AK president said athletics fans should expect fireworks on that material day as athletes fight for top honours in their respective categories.
“We are calling on everyone to come and watch the Kip Keino Classic. This is the only race of its kind in Africa. There will be fireworks at Nyayo Stadium on that Saturday as athletes compete,” said Tuwei.
On his part the Eng. Tum said Kip Keino Classic is pivotal to the government’s agenda for the sports industry in Kenya and assured of their support for years to come.
“This event is important to the Ministry of Sports. From where I sit, the future of Kenyan sports is bright and that’s why we want to support events such as these. We will continue to support the Kip Keino Classic in a big way,” Tum said.
The Youth and Development officer Barnaba Korir who is also the race director called on Kenyans to come and support these athletes on competition day.
“Those are the athletes who will be competing and we ask all Kenyans to come and fill the stadium so that we can have a memorable event even as we think of how to host bigger events in the future,” said Korir.
This year’s edition has attracted the who-is-who in the world of athletics including Olympics 200m silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek, who a fortnight ago defeated the three time world Champion, Christian Coleman.
The 2016 Olympics javelin champion Thomas Rohler, Olympics hammer throw champion Wojciech Nowicki and the 2022 world hammer throw champion Pavel Fajdeck, will also grace the event.
Kenya will be led by the Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, World 800m champion Mary Moraa, World 800m silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi and former World Javelin champion, Julius Yego among others.
