Sports CS Ababu Namwamba Tuesday unveiled an air quality sensor equipment at the Kipchoge Keino complex stadium at Kapsabet in a bid to create a conducive environment for athletes as they train as well as nurture new athletics talents.
The athletic Kenya air quality project, aims at improving sports stadiums in the Country to meet international standards as a way to ensure athletes excel in global competitions.
Speaking during the event, Namwamba noted that Athletics Kenya was the global leader in using sports to deal with climate change, adding that the air quality project is the start of athletics Kenya’s journey to COP27.
The CS applauded the athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei for the efforts the athletics team Kenya has been making to ensure they shine in the international competitions, adding that they need more support to produce more champions in all competitions.
“Today’s event is the start of athletics Kenya’s journey to COP27. I really want to applaud Athletics Kenya President general (Rtd) Jack Tuwei and his team for the amazing job that has maintained Kenya’s heritage as a sporting nation especially in athletics as well as taking charge in making our environment better,” noted Namwamba.
The CS further urged the County to be at the forefront in planting trees as a way to draw attention to the challenge facing the world today in terms of climate change.
On his part, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang who accompanied the CS, said the region being the source of champions, was committed to supporting athletes.
He added the National and County governments should work hand in hand to tackle the challenges facing all athletes, including the upcoming ones.
Sang noted that the air quality sensor will help athletes determine the right timings for their training as well as guide the County on the kind of collective measures to take to improve on the quality of air within the County.
Sang further said that the Kipchoge Keino stadium is at 70 percent completion, noting they are committed to completing it soonest possible to provide a conducive ecosystem for training upcoming athletes to join others in international competitions.
Athletic Kenya president Tuwei observed that climate change has greatly affected the whole world, noting that the commissioning of the air quality sensor was one way of cushioning athletes against adverse effects of climate change.
He said that this is one of the equipment that makes a stadium meet international standards to be in a position to hold international competitions.
“Climate change affects everybody and as athletes we are not left behind in terms of sports action on climate change. For athletes to break a record it means they have trained well in a clean and conducive environment. With this equipment the athletes will be able to excel,” he noted, saying that the equipment will address the challenge of high temperatures.
By Ruth Mainye
