Absa Bank Kenya, which is a part of pan-African lender Absa Group, has committed a Sh40 million investment to go towards this year’s KipKeino Classic Continental tour.
The lender said Sh30 million will be a direct sponsorship as title sponsors of the 5th edition as the remaining Sh10 million will be used as leverage amounts as well as in supporting other events in the Kenya athletics calendar, including the under 20 youth trials engagement, national trials series events and Sirikwa Classic which happened in February 2024.
According to Absa Bank Kenya Consumer Banking Director Moses Muthui, investing in sports, including athletics would accelerate Kenya’s sporting ecosystem.
“This championship event provides a great opportunity for Kenyans to not only watch foreign stars in Kenya but to also celebrate our very own homegrown talents whose stories continue to inspire our commitment to this sport as we support and empower them in line with our purpose of empowering Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time. Their stories indeed matter,” said Mr. Muthui.
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary, State Department for Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Eng. Peter Tum said: “As a ministry, we will continue to give the required support and the government is investing substantially to ensure the success of the 2024 Absa Kip Keino Classic, including through supporting the adequate rewarding of our athletes to ensure that Kenya continue to demonstrate its prowess in sports.”
On his part, Athletics Kenya President General Jackson Tuwei expressed his delight and gratitude to the bank and other sponsors for working round the clock to ensure that this year’s championship is successful.
“We are thrilled and grateful to partner with Absa Bank Kenya for the Absa KipKeino Classics. Their support through the years has enabled us to host a world-class event that puts us at an admirable spot in the global arena, and with this, we are assured of a great event on the 20th of April as we cheer our champions and as we inspire the next generation of athletes. I call on Kenyans to come out in large numbers at the Nyayo National Stadium to support our national stars,” said Mr. Tuwei.
The championship will feature a diverse range of events from sprints, to hammer throws, promising to give Kenyans a first-hand thrilling experience of what happens on the global stage.
