Iten
Saturday May 18 2024
KNA by Alice Wanjiru/Joy Jeelagat
Elgeyo Marakwet county government has called on Athletics Kenya to ensure that the Iten International Marathon 3rd edition becomes a stand-alone event saying after holding two editions of the race it has come of age.
The deputy governor Prof. Grace Cheserek therefore called on Athletics Kenya to move with speed and ensure that a committee is put in place in the next one month to oversee the race which will be held in November 17th this year.
The county awarded sh.7.4 million to 80 athletes in the 2nd marathon, with the top three earning sh.1 million, sh.500, 000, and sh.250, 000 respectively.
Prof. Cheserek called on banks where the athletes have accounts to attach a financial advisor to them to assist them in managing and investing their money.
She expressed concern over the rising cases of gender based violence among athletes saying it was sad that some men influenced their female athlete’s partners to put their hard earned properties in their names and thereafter swindle them.
“I am calling on both male and female partners of the athletes to jealously guard whatever they get from the races and invest them wisely,” she said.
She said the Iten marathon was part of the wezesha programme where the county aimed to nurture and expose athletes saying after participating once, an athlete should seek to run in races outside the country while leaving other local athletes to participate.
In a bid to continue producing more athletes, the DG said the county in corroboration with AK had embarked on a programme where an athletics coach is attached in each primary and secondary school.
She called on international companies involved in athletics to adopt a track within the county, construct and brand it as a way of promoting athletics in the county.
Boniface Tiren from AK called on the county assembly to allocate more funds to sports saying the county was a bed rock of athletics.
Courtesy: KNA