World Cross Country: Kenyans to come in droves
Mar 22, 2017
Kenya is confident it can maintain its dominance in the biennial competition.
PIC Kenya athletics legend Paul Tergat warned that many Kenyans would be at Kololo. (Credit: Norman Katende)
Kenyans are planning to storm Kololo in huge numbers for the World Cross Country.
With a big crowd presence Kenya is confident it can maintain its dominance in the biennial competition. Under a campaign code named "Kenya storms Kampala" they plan to send numerous buses to Kampala for the one day event.
Seasoned sports journalist Elias Makori is one of the brains behind the move that will have the group arriving on the eve of the race.
The buses will depart Nairobi on Friday and will have a stopover in Eldoret.
The western Kenya city is an athletics stronghold and is home to most of the athletes on the Kampala bound Kenyan national team.
A copy of a fans' travel promotion being run in Nairobi
Kenya athletics legend Paul Tergat warned that many Kenyans would be at Kololo.
"They will fly in, drive and even use buses," said IAAF ambassador Tergat advising Ugandans to also come in big numbers or else they are outnumbered. Kenya's sports tourists will also engage in social responsibility efforts.
These include a donation at the Missionaries of the Poor Home.
This will be in partnership with Kenyans living in Kampala. According to a message circulating on social media, Kenyans in Kampala under the "Wa Kenya Pa Moja" group have collected food, clothing, books and other donations.
"The donations are part of the celebrations of the IAAF world cross country championships and Kenya's success in these championships," reads the message.
Participating nations started arriving Monday, with Australia and Fiji the first to fly in.
By the registration deadline last week 60 countries had so far confirmed participation. Uganda will become the fourth African country to stage the event.
Morocco, South Africa and Kenya are the others.
Ethiopia and Kenya have been the most successful countries in the global showpiece that will on Sunday have athletes competing in the seniors, juniors and mixed relays events.
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