1ST OPEN ATHLETICS KENYA MASTERS NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY MEET EAST AFRICA - KENYA 27TH APRIL 2019 Eldoret Polytechnic Sport Grounds, Uasin Gishu, Kenya. 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE ATHLETICS KENYA PRESIDENT ........... 6 ATHLETICS KENYA MASTERS EXECUTIVE ........................... 7 COMMITTEE MEMBERS ....................................................... 7 Athletics Kenya Masters Brief History Background ................. 8 Athletics Kenya Masters Cross Country 3-Day ........................ 15 2 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet 3 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet HIS EXCELLENCY HON. DR. WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO EGH DEPUTY PRESIDENT REPUBLIC OF KENYA HON. DR. AMINA MOHAMED EGH Cabinet Secretary Sports Culture & Heritage 4 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet HIS EXCELLENCY HON. JACKSON K. MANDAGO GOVERNOR, COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF UASIN GISHU MS. LEONIE ETONG PRESIDENT AFRICA MASTERS ATHLETICS AND WORLDMASTERS ATHLETICS DELEGATE 5 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet MESSAGE FROM THE ATHLETICS KENYA PRESIDENT Ladies and Gentlemen! I give my warm welcome to all the Athletics Kenya Masters’ management committee, competitors, coaches, organizers and hosts of the 1st edition of Athletics Kenya Masters cross country meet, which I have gladly held under my honorary patronage. Eldoret has on a number of occasions demonstrated its outstanding capabilities as the host of prestigious sports events. Organizational experience, moderate facilities, and wonderful spectators all contribute to this success. I am happy that this has again been recognized and we will have the opportunity to host athletes from all over the East Africa, including a strong Kenya representation. The main strength of the “Masters” Athletics Championships lies primarily in the fact that they are open to a very broad group of participants. The attending competitors prove that regardless of the age one can always set new goals and overcome one’s own limitations and barriers. I would like to thank you, dear Competitors, for making physical activity an integral part of your life and thus inspiring others to follow your example. By pursuing your passion, you at the same time significantly contribute to developing the foundations of healthy and fit society. I am convinced that the 1st Athletics Kenya Masters cross country Championships will create an opportunity not only to test your strength with other sportsmen of the world, but also to discover the beauty of Eldoret and the city of champions and entire Rift Valley the cradle of athletics legends. I believe that owing to Eldoret hospitality combined with professional organization of the Masters Championships you will enjoy many pleasant moments here and you will keep this sports event for long in your memory. I wish all the success and spectacular sports competition in the spirit of fair play for the athletes and unforgettable memories for the sports spectators! May God Bless You All. Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei President, Athletics Kenya Federation First Vice-President, Confederation of African Athletics 6 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet ATHLETICS KENYA MASTERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AKM National Chairman – Stephen Oloolmarai AKM Vice – Chairperson – Sarah Kiwanuka AKM Secretary General – Rose Tata Muya, OGW AKM Treasurer – Catherine Ndereba Public Relations Officer – Elizabeth Olaba Head of ICT & Logistics – Samuel Koech AKM EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Barnabas Korir Francis Nyatome Joice Odhiambo Sammy Ruto Joseph Ilovi 7 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet Athletics Kenya Masters Brief History Background INTRODUCTION Kenya is known around the globe for producing the best middle and long distance running for over half a century since Kenya participated in the world of athletics by its pioneer founding fathers of track and field led by the legendary runners such as, Nyandika Maiyoro, Kanuti Sum, Kipketer Talam and Paul Boit in First African championships in Madagascar in 1948 and Empire Games in Vancouver Canada 1954. Kenya has shown its passion and commitment by competing in the World Masters Athletics Championships held in the coastal city of Malaga Spain, Perth Western Australia and Rades in Tunisia. Kenya is gearing to participate in forthcoming World Masters Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in summer of 2020 in Toronto Canada, this will be the fourth time Kenya will be featuring at global stage. Masters are formerly known as veterans since the formation of Masters Athletics by European former athletes in mid 70s. Masters Athletics Championship are designed for retired athletes from the age of 35 onwards for women and 40 years for men. At the World Masters Athletics Championship in Australia in 2016, Kenya was the top placed African country but in position 18 overall out over 100 nations that participated in the championship that took place on October 26 to November 6 in Perth, 2016. Kenya which was participating for the first time at the World stage in Australia two years ago, the country amassed ten medals which included three gold, four silver and three bronze medals. Second outing for the national Team Kenya Master was in Malaga Spain 2018 World Masters Athletics Championship, where Kenya came to position 11 in over 70 countries participated. 8 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet COMPETITION The World Masters Athletics Championships formerly are the biennial championships for Masters Athletics events held under the auspices of World Masters Athletics formerly called the World Association of Veteran Athletes, for athletes over the age of 35 years. Athletics Kenya Masters is a class of the sport of athletics for veteran athletes in the events of track and field, road running and cross country running. The competitions feature five-year age groups beginning at age 35. Men as old as 105 and women in their 100s have competed in running, jumping and throwing events. World Masters Athletics (WMA) is the worldwide governing body for Masters Athletics. It provides a global standard of rule modifications (based upon the international rules for the sport created by the IAAF) for athletes of a certain age. Each individual country governs its own affairs with an organizational governing body that is an affiliate to WMA. OBJECTIVES World Masters Athletics Championships is the testament to the vision, passion and determination of many athletes whom continue athletics throughout their lives and demonstrates that age is no barrier in the quest of excellence, good sportsmanship and lasting friendships. Kenya being a global powerhouse in athletics, Kenyan veterans will have the opportunity of extending the country’s dominance in this age group competition at the world level. Retired Kenyan athletes will be able to rekindle Kenya’s fond memories of their glorious days as active participants by attempting to rule the world at old age. Kenya’s participation will be used to exhibit Kenya’s dominance in athletics from youth, junior, senior to veterans’ level. Kenya’s participation will be able to brand and sell the country’s brand at the international level by the heroics our World Conquerors dominate the championships which will be viewed by a viewership by millions of viewers. It is the tale of ordinary athletes and administrators achieving the extraordinary, using their skills and commitment for the benefit of their fellow athletes. The 9 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet championship will see an impressive mix of former Olympians, world and national record al holders all vying for the coveted title of world champion. JUSTIFCATION The event will be televised worldwide and will receive wide coverage in all the modes of the media including electronic, print, social media and internet. The sponsorship of the athletes will give the corporate a platform of branding and selling its products. The sponsor will have a long term relationship with Masters Athletics Kenya and veteran athletes. Getting involved is part of promoting Kenya’s heritage by associating with veteran sportsmen and women who have brought glory to the country. BENEFITS The sponsor will get brand visibility through the media coverage both locally and internationally. The sponsor will be appreciated for supporting the aged (Senior Citizens) as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) charity initiative CONCLUSION Sponsoring the team is enhancing and preserving Kenya’s heritage by appreciating the veterans who have otherwise been overlooked despite placing Kenya on the world map which will have the sponsor have a legacy of the institution’s involvement with Kenya’s sporting heroes. Who is Athletics Kenya Masters (AKM?) Athletics Kenya Masters is a national organization aimed at promoting sports participation for retired and veteran athletes to pursue active sports even after retirement. Our aim is to encourage, organize and manage athletics in 5-year age groups for Masters Athletes – men and women aged 35 years and over. Whatever you’re current level of fitness or age, there is a place for you in the true Kenya spirit. 10 1St Open Athletics Kenya Masters National Cross Country Meet Entries: Rules and Regulation Deadline for the receipt of entry forms is Saturday 26 April 2019. Entries post-marked or received after 25 April 2019 will be returned. No telephonic arrangements will be attended to. All monies