Fans given reasons to turn up in droves for Sirikwa Cross-country

ATHLETICS Fans given reasons to turn up in droves for Sirikwa Cross-country

Abigael Wafula 13:39 - 02.02.2024

Barnaba Korir, the Sirikwa Classic Cross-country race director, has urged fans to flood the Lobo village on Saturday and cheer on their favourite athletes as they toe the line.

Sirikwa Classic Cross-country competitions director Barnaba Korir has urged fans to show up in droves and support athletes as they toe the start line of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event to be held at the Lobo Village in Eldoret, Kenya.

Speaking during a pre-race press conference, Korir emphasised that the event is a good opportunity to see the athletes compete live instead of watching them on television.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya WhatsApp Channel for more news.

“This is an international event and most of the time we have our athletes competing outside the country, we only watch them on TV.

“I would urge the fans of Eldoret City and the surrounding areas to come and watch our champions competing within this environment.

“It is also very important for the fans to come and watch the foreign athletes coming to compete against our own knowing that this is not just any other event since it is an international event sanctioned by World Athletics,” Korir said.

He added that the event is an opportunity for the fans to engage with their favourite athletes and have great opportunities to meet the champions.

He singled out Daniel Simiu, noting that he is certainly one of the athletes that fans would be elated to watch compete on home soil.

“We have a 2km race going to take place, the relay that we are going to select the team…to the fans, you have the opportunity to come and watch the athletes compete and encourage the young talents to keep going.

“This will also give us an opportunity to build continuity in the competition for our athletes so that they can always be the winners in every race outside the country and locally,” he said.

He added that looking at the entry list and the athletes who have confirmed participation, he expressed pride in the growth of the event.

“My aim as the meet director is to make the race bigger too. A number of athletes raised some concerns about the previous events and we listened and made the changes on the course. The grass has been well planted and it is going to be a fast course.

“We have 29 foreign athletes from 15 countries competing tomorrow, we urge all fans to come see foreign athletes and our stars compete locally, we shall also have kids’ event, masters, and senior masters for the community to have a chance to compete,” he said.

Tags: