Kenya mulls bid to host 2032 World Masters Athletics Championships

The World Masters Athletics Championships is a global competition for non-elite athletes aged 35 years and above.

Since the championships began in 1975 in Toronto, Canada, the event has only been hosted in Africa once, with South Africa staging the competition in 1997.

Africa Masters Athletics President Dr. Rose Tata Muya has expressed gratitude after Kenya was given an opportunity to submit its bid to host the championships. The bid will be a joint effort involving the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya.

"We have been given an opportunity to submit our bid and we are grateful for that chance. This will be a collaboration between the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya, and we believe we have what it takes to host the world," said Dr. Muya.

Dr. Muya is betting on Kenya’s improved sporting facilities to bag the hosting rights, saying the country will be ready for the championship that will come after the 2031 World Athletics Championships that Kenya is also bidding to host.

"We are hopeful because Africa has only had one host before and that was South Africa in 1997. It has been a very long time and we believe Kenya deserves an opportunity to host this event," she said.

"Kenya is a powerhouse in athletics, not only at the elite level but also in Masters Athletics. We have made tremendous progress in infrastructure development and that gives us confidence as we prepare our bid," she added.

Should Kenya secure the hosting rights, the championships are expected to attract about 110 countries and between 9,000 and 10,000 athletes from across the world.

Dr. Muya said hosting the event would be a major milestone for both Kenya and the African continent.

"We have travelled to many countries over the years to participate in these championships and we feel it is now time for the event to come home. We are confident that if we put in place a strong Local Organising Committee, we will be able to host a successful championship," she added.

If successful, Kenya would become only the second African nation after South Africa to host the World Masters Athletics Championships, further cementing the country's status as one of the world's leading athletics destinations.