How Kenya wants to use African show in diversification agenda

2024 CAC African Road Cycling Championship in Nandi, Uasin Gishu, and Elgeyo Marakwet is expected to create a rethink about sports in the athletics-mad Rift Valley counties.

On the streets of Eldoret, City of Champions, conversations revolve around the likes of two time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, Olympic 1,500m three-time winner Faith Kipyegon, world’s greatest steeplechaser Ezekiel Kemboi, pioneer Kipchoge Keino among others.

But as performers took to the podium for the medal ceremonies at the Uasin Gishu county headquarters, the locals were amazed that cycling could be an attractive sport even though Kenyans riders did not shine at the five-days, 20-countries contest.

Kenya Cycling Association secretary Charles Mose hopes the championships will offer a turning point in the development of cycling as a professional sport.

Others believe this is a chance to blend athletics and cycling in turning the region into a sports power house.

“Hosting the CAC cycling championships in Eldoret is a game-changer for us," Mose said.

"The huge awareness it has created will mean more interest in cycling. We expect to see more cyclists coming up, especially in Eldoret and its environs, where athletics is the main sport.”

However, cycling is not new in the region, having produced top cyclists like late John Maina, James Waithaka and Baldeep Lochab.

“It’s just that we have had gaps that undermined development of the sport in the North Rift, just like in other parts of the country. However bidding and hosting the event gives us hope in growing talent going forward,” Mose said.

But by cycling being an equipment based sport, he said investment in training and competition kits and equipment will be key and said there is need for more sponsors to support the sport, especially in organising competitions.

“We want to see cycling introduced in schools and colleges as a competitive sport to tap the talent in our young people,” he said.

Eritrea were among the best performers and Mose attributed this to exposure in competitions in Italy.

“The government is doing a lot to support cycling through our federation but we need more support from the private sector. The latest bicycles cost up to Sh2.5m which not many riders can afford,” he observed.

Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum and Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii said the event is an eyeopener in the country’s quest for diversification.

“We have so many talents in this region even though everyone talks about athletics. We will reap big from this event. I am sure many of our youth will now look at it as sport worthy taking up,” Tum said.