The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Kenya bagged six gold medals during the first African Rafting Championship that attracted 11 countries in the event which ended on Sunday.
The counties that participated included Kenya, Somali, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda among others that demonstrated knowledge of the water sports.
In the five days event along the Sagana river , Kenya won the overall position, with the sports and youth affairs Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi lauding the management of Rapid Camp for the effective coordination during the continental championship.
The government, he outlined, will also support the sport to ensure that the team will be among other teams that will participate in Argentina as part of Kenya Kwanza’s Talanta hela slogan.
On Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano lauded the water sports as a activity that has waken the country to a realisation of its imporatance.
” This a major event that if well nurtured will improve the athletees more returns,” she said.
During the visit, Ms Miano said she entered into agreement with Murang’a county government of more routes to Aberdare will be opened, as previously hikers used the Nyeri route.
The county government, she added should work towards promoting sports tourism.
“The government of Kenya has signed an MOU with the county government of Murang’a where we are opening an entry point to Mt.Kenya for hikers, cycling teams,this is supporting sports tourism”said Miano.
The gates will be established at Gatare, Mioro, Wanjerere, and Kangari to boost ecotourism and enhance community livelihood.
Rapid Camp in Sagana Managing Director William Kinuthia urged stakeholders to come in and support the noble event, anticipating to hold the World Rafting championship; citing the just concluded event as a tester.
“The just concluded event was a tester,I urge stakeholders to come in handy and assist in planning for next year’s world championship,” said Kinuthia.
In the performance
Slalom Category: Nigeria got Bronze at11:01:5;South Sudan got Silver taking 10.55;Kenya won Gold taking 8:16.:09
Men Slalom category
South Sudan got bronze taking 6:08:01;Somalia:5.:57:.18 (had one participant but was assisted by Kenyan athletee getting Silver,Kenya–Gold:4:38:59.
In thr Mixed Slalom:[two women,two men)
South sudan:7.56.10(bronze).
South Sudan:6:10:30:(Silver);Kenya:5:09:00(Gold)
Arex category:Women;,Congo:bronze(6:11:47);Uganda:silver(6:50:31);Kenya:Gold(3:42;39)
Men;Nigeria:[bronze):06:02:06;Sudan(Silver):04:25:36,Kenya(Gold):02:48:59 fastest time.
https://shorturl.fm/ACjuR