Absa Bank Kenya has unveiled a Ksh 60 million budget to support athletics in 2025, with Ksh40 million set aside for the Kipkeino Classic Edition 2025, which will be held on 31 May 2025 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.
According to Absa Ksh 20 million will go towards sponsoring other athletic events, including the Absa Sirikwa Classic, which took place in February this year, as well as the upcoming Athletics Kenya youth engagement.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya applauded the private sector for supporting the government in growing sports in the country, singling out Absa Kenya.
“The Kipkeino Classic has grown into a world-class event in 6 years, and this has inspired the government to make more commitments towards the event,” said CS Mvurya.
He also thanked Absa for remaining steadfast in consistently supporting Athletics Kenya for the last 6 years, underscoring the value of public-private partnership in growing sports in the country
Absa Bank Commitment and Support
Absa Bank Kenya Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mwihaki Wachira, assured the bank’s commitment to investing in sports as a way of supporting sporting talents in the country.
“We believe sport is a powerful force for national unity, pride, and empowering communities for progress. Over the last decade, we have invested over Ksh1.3 billion in Kenyan sports from athletics to golf and football, seeing them as integral in connecting with Kenyans and as platforms to tell the inspiring stories of our athletes,” said Ms. Wachira.
She also added that through the collaboration, the Absa Kip Keino Classic has become a world-class event, henceforth attracting global champions to compete in the country, well known for its athletics prowess, and showcasing Kenya as a serious athletics destination
According to the bank, this year’s sponsorship brings Absa’s total investment in the global showcase to Ksh 200 million over the past six years.
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The Absa Kipkeino Classic Tour continues to distinguish itself as a thrilling, top-ranking one-day athletics championship, attracting global e athletes while providing a global stage for emerging local talent.
So far, 189 local and international athletes are expected at the Absa Kipkeino Classic 2025 event, with 59 Kenyan athletes featuring.
Athletes To Participate in This Year Absa kipkeiono Classic Edition
Some of the biggest names anticipated include local favourites Ferdinand Omanyala and Otieno Mark who will tussle with Olympic gold medalist Jerome Blake, World U20 Champion Bayada Walaza and World Indoor 60m silver medallist Laclan Kennedy in the men’s 100m.
Other athletes expected at the meet include Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji will be competing here for the first time and is expected to light up the 200m race as well as Botswana’s fastest woman Tsaone Sebele. Local favourites Wiseman Were and Mary Moraa will also be in action.
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On the other hand, the Athletics Kenya President, General Jackson Tuwei, expressed optimism that thousands of fans would turn up at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, with millions more tuning in globally.
“The Absa Kipkeino Classic has become one of Africa’s most memorable events thanks to strong partnerships like the one Athletics Kenya has with Absa. We look forward to welcoming world-class athletes to the Kenyan stage and assure the public of a thrilling day of sports as the world turns its attention to Kenya,” said Tuwei.
The Absa Kipkeino Classic 2025 will also feature kids’ athletics as part of the World Athletics programme, which is designed to inspire the next generation of athletes
Absa Kipkeion Classic
The Absa Kip Keino Classic began on October 3, 2020, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. It was introduced as part of the inaugural World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, making it the only Gold-level meet on the African continent.
Named after Kenyan Olympic legend Kipchoge Keino, the event was initially scheduled for May 2020 but was postponed to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since its inception, the Kip Keino Classic has grown into a premier athletics competition, attracting top-tier athletes from around the world and maintaining its gold label status.
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