Senior Vice President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa has congratulated Athletics Kenya on the award of the hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi, describing the decision as a landmark moment for Kenya and a major victory for African athletics.
Chief Okowa, expressed delight over Nairobi’s successful bid, saying the hosting rights represent a “win-win” outcome for the continent.
“Congratulations, Athletics Kenya. This is a great moment for Kenya and, indeed, for the whole of Africa,” Okowa said.
“Bringing the World Athletics Championships to Nairobi in 2029 is not just about Kenya hosting a global competition. It is a victory for African athletics and an opportunity to showcase the enormous talent, passion and organisational capacity that exist on our continent.”
Okowa also commended World Athletics for selecting Nairobi, saying the decision would open a new chapter for the sport in Africa.
“We must commend World Athletics for entrusting Nairobi and Kenya with this historic responsibility. It is a bold and important decision that will have a lasting impact on athletics across Africa,” he added.
The AFN President noted that Nigeria was proud to have supported Athletics Kenya’s successful bid and said the development should be embraced by every member of the African athletics family.
“AFN is proud to have supported the Kenyan bid, and we are delighted to celebrate this achievement with Athletics Kenya and the entire African athletics family,” Okowa said.
He called on national federations, athletes, administrators, sponsors, governments and other stakeholders across Africa to rally behind Kenya as preparations for the championships begins.
“I appeal to the entire African athletics family to support Kenya. This is our championship, this is our opportunity, and we must work together to ensure that Nairobi 2029 becomes a memorable and successful World Athletics Championships,” he said.
According to Okowa, the event will provide Africa with a global platform to demonstrate its capabilities while inspiring a new generation of athletes across the continent.
“We look forward to seeing Nairobi welcome the world in 2029. This is the beginning of a new chapter, and Africa must seize the opportunity to make it a championship that the world will remember,” he stated.
The AFN said it looks forward to witnessing the global athletics community converge on Nairobi in 2029 for what will be the first staging of the World Athletics Championships on African soil.
For Athletics Kenya, the successful bid represents a historic achievement, while for the wider African athletics community, it offers an opportunity to strengthen the continent’s position on the global athletics calendar.
