After last minute Nyayo disappointment, Ulinzi Stadium all set for Kip Keino Classic
Military authorities have been working around the clock to ensure that the venue is in the best shape possible ahead of race day on Saturday.
The Ulinzi Stadium in Lang'ata in Nairobi is ready to host the 2025 Kip Keino Classic athletics event scheduled to take place this Saturday, 31 May 2025.
The stadium, opened in 2024, will host the event as the usual venue, the Nyayo National Stadium, is undergoing renovations ahead of the upcoming African Nations Championships CHAN.
As part of the repairs, a new tartan track was to be installed but that was not completed in time for May 31.
Military authorities have been working around the clock to ensure that the venue is in the best shape possible ahead of race day on Saturday.
"We are happy to say that the venue is ready. We want to thank the Ulinzi Stadium management for moving at pace to address the issues we had pending. We are good to go and anticipate a very good event on Saturday, Athletics Kenya honcho," Bernard Korir told Radio Generation Sport on Wednesday.
The Absa Kip Keino Classic, scheduled for Saturday, 31 May in Nairobi, will feature Kenyan sprint star Ferdinand Omanyala in the men’s 100m.
The African record holder returns to home soil where he’s previously clocked his African record 9.77 personal best time.
At the sixth edition of the Kip Keino Classic, Omanyala will face Olympic 4x100m relay champion Jerome Blake (Canada), World Indoor 60m silver medalist Kennedy Lachlan (Australia) and double World Under 20 champion Bayanda Walaza of South Africa, and Kenya's Mark Otieno, among others.
In the men’s 200m, Australia’s Calab Law and Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh are listed to compete. Fahnbulleh, an NCAA champion, brings strong championship credentials, while Law is aiming to continue his strong early-season form.
The women’s 800m includes world bronze medallist Mary Moraa of Kenya. She will be joined by Shafiqua Maloney of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who recently opened her season with a solid performance in the U.S.
The men’s javelin field includes global talent such as Grenadian Anderson Peters, former world champion Julius Yego of Kenya, and Olympic champion Thomas Röhler of Germany.
All three are experienced on the Diamond League circuit and bring medal-winning resumes.
Entry to the event is free of charge, according to the organisers, who will be hoping to attract a capacity crowd thanks to the venue.
