NAIROBI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has played down concerns its running late on competition of works ahead of Nairobi hosting the 2020 World U-20 Junior Championships.
Michael Rabar, chief executive of the organizing committee for the championship, said on Friday that Nairobi will work around the clock to meet the deadlines and host a successful competition.
The World U-20 Championships Nairobi 2020 has been scheduled for July 7-12 next year.
World Athletics awarded Kenya the hosting rights of the U-20 Junior Championships to Kenya back in 2018 in Buenos Aires.
After the initial inspection tour by World Athletics, no work has been done on the track at the Moi International Stadium in Nairobi, which will play host to the competition.
"The next inspection tour is in February. We will have done what World Athletics want us to do and hopeful meet their expectations," said Rabar.
Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei has warned that the country is not running fast enough to meet the organization's requirements as set out by World Athletics.
"Renovation works are currently going on at Kasarani and at Kenyatta University, which will host the athletes' village," added Rabar.
"There is nothing lagging behind, repairs and renovation works have started at the competitions facility, I want to assure the country there is no need to panic."
Tuwei, who is also the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairman said he was worried the next inspection tour by World Athletics may find little done on the ground.
"This visit by World Athletics is extremely important for Kenya and will effectively kick off an extremely important leg of our preparations to host yet another successful global competition," said Tuwei.
The decision to award Nairobi the biennial event followed a successful IAAF World U-18 Championships hosted here in 2017, which attracted crowds of up to 60,000, unprecedented in the history of World Athletics competition.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe has lauded Kenyan Government's strong support for athletics and supporting the Nairobi bid.
"The U-20 championships showcase the future of our sport, so Kenya, with a young and enthusiastic population and such a rich history in athletics, is a perfect fit for us," Coe said.
"We hope that these championships will further encourage the development of athletics in Kenya and all over Africa, which is such a vibrant part of our international federation." Enditem
