Athletics Kenya set October 31 deadline to secure financial guarantee for Youth Championships

Athletics Kenya will have to show financial backing for the World Youth Championships

Nairobi, Oct 9 (IANS) Athletics Kenya has up to October 31 to secure financial guarantees from the government if their bid to host the 2017 World Youth Championships is to be considered. International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Lamine Diack wrote to the country's affiliate demanding the submission of the Event Organization Agreement (EOA) as well as the financial guarantees from the government, reports Xinhua.

Diack wrote in a letter confirming the receipt of Kenya's bid addressed to the Bid Committee Patron Margaret Kenyatta, wife of the country's President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying the country must meet all the requirements.

"The International Association of Athletics Federations has confirmed receipt of the application form from Kenya for the IAAF World Youth Championships 2017. Kenya was able to meet the submission deadline of September 25 which marked the second stage of the bidding process for the world event," Athletics Kenya said in a statement Wednesday. 25 which marked the second stage of the bidding process for the world event," Athletics Kenya said in a statement Wednesday.

"Kenya did not however, meet the deadline for the submission of the Event Organization Agreement (EOA) as well as the financial guarantees from the government. This is a requirement and may jeopardise the position of Kenya which is in competition with other countries."

Kenya's Bid Committee chairman, Jack Tuwei, who is also the Athletics Kenya Vice President, said they still have a chance to meet the requirements set by IAAF.

"Upon request from Athletics Kenya, the IAAF has given Kenya the final deadline for submission of the EOA and the financial guarantees before the end of the month of October.

"Should Kenya meet this deadline then they will be invited to make the final presentation and defence of the bid which will take place in Nov 18 at the IAAF headquarters in Monaco," said Tuwei.

Kenya faces a stiff challenge as the US and Argentina are also bidding for the hosting rights.

Kenya has consistently taken part in the championships since its introduction in 1999 in Bydgoszcz, Poland and will hope its strong show on the track will favour them ahead of the September inspection by the IAAF. However, the small matter of altitude, with Nairobi sitting about 5,500 metres above sea level, remains a concern. The same applies for Buenos Aires.

Kenya successfully hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa and the 2010 Africa Senior Athletics Championships.