20 trainees from across the continent were on Friday afternoon certified
as athletics facilitators by the athletics governing body Athletics
Kenya after they undertook a 4 day competition organization seminar in
Nairobi.
According to the seminar’s chief facilitator Vivian
Gungeram, the course was aimed at improving the management and co
ordination skills of the participants so as to improve their
organization of continental as well as global events. The training was
held in the Nairobi based regional development centre which is the
oldest development centre in the world.
“The training was
organized for the English speaking countries in Africa with an objective
of advancing our organization skills so as to match global standards,”
explained Gungeram.
A similar seminar will soon be held in Dakar, Senegal for the French speaking countries.
The
countries that were represented in the Kenyan hosted seminar include
Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi,
Namibia, South Africa, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland,
Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Kenya was
represented by the reigning athletics Kenya Public Relations Officer
(PRO) Peter Angwenyi, Assistant Secretary General Ibrahim Hussein as
well as former athlete Francis Nyatome.
Isaiah Kiplagat the
Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman also echoed Gungeram’s words citing the
seminar’s main objective was to help form steady committees that will
enhance good governance and smooth, proper flow and management of
athletics related programs.
“We lack proper event organization
standards. Many a times we have been criticized for poor competition
management. We have potential to stage good events in Africa but lack
initiative to match the international scene,” said Kiplagat.
The
management seminar was the 2nd of its kind in Africa and the now
certified trainees are expected to put the skills learned to practice
back in their own countries.
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