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IAAF hope Kenya to lure fans to U18 Worlds

Xinhua, October 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya faces a big challenge to get more fans to the stadium to watch the IAAF World Under-18 championships set for July 2017 in Nairobi.

IAAF Director of Technology, Information and Services Emmanuel Perotti, who led a team of observers to assess the progress in the organization work at the Kasarani Stadium, said the country should make sure fans fill the stands.

"We have a good history coming back to Kenya. But this is a different event, targeting elementary athletes seeking to break into the sport. It might not attract many people if the right mechanisms are not put in place. It is important that the stakeholders come together and ensure that the stadium will be packed with fans so as to create a great atmosphere for the young stars," said Perotti on Wednesday in Nairobi.

Perotti is in the country in an oversight capacity to look at technical preparations including communication and general mapping out of the gaps to be bridged in the build up to the championships.

Kenya's local organizing committee (LOC) Chief Executive Officer Mwangi Muthee announced that another team of IAAF delegates will be in the country in the next two weeks to inspect the competition and track area.

Perotti said that his team is still assessing the situation on the ground and will work closely with the Local Organising Committee.

"We are not yet done and there is a lot that need to be done and time is short. As we will sit down with the LOC, this will be prudent to inform that they need to speed up the process. The project is big and there is still enough time so we shall give it top priority.

What needs to be done is renovation so that it meets the set IAAF standards," he stated.

Perotti added that Seiko and Deltatre, the partner sponsors of IAAF events to handle all the technical components pertaining to competition information for instance timing, measuring, graphics and the scoreboard.

Event Director at Athletics Management and Services Jan Zmek said the country facility are capable of hosting the championships but stressed that there is still a lot to be done if Kenya is to successfully play its role as hosts. Endit