Two Kenyan athletes will be sponsored to take part in the 3rd edition of the Bamako marathon set for Sunday 19th February in Mali. The two Anthony Nzomo and Eston Nyagah will be sponsored by Bank of Afrika to a tune of 800,000 shillings that will cover for air tickets, accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses while in Bamako.
Nzomo and Nyagah who hail from Machakos and Embu respectively have taken part in several other marathons across the world including India, Tunisia, France and Switzerland. Nyagah won the Bangalore marathon in India in 2007.
The two athletes called for more support for athletes seeking to participate in such events urging more corporate to come on board and finance trips for upcoming athletes to international races.
“Raising just the airfare is a major challenge for most of us. Often times, we have to rely on well-wishers whom we have to repay when we win,” said Nyagah.
Nzomo echoed the sentiments saying that besides money constraints, local athletes wishing to participate in such faced other hurdles such as lack of proper sports kit and access to medical facilities capable of treating sports injuries.
In neighboring country Tanzania, flag bearers Sarah Kavina and Mashaka Masumbuko Paul have also been selected to take part in the marathon. They too have received sponsorship from the BOA-Tanzania branch
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