Gusii Sports Legends Welfare Association has lined up several road and cross country races to honour fallen athletes from Kisii and Nyamira counties.
The association brings together coaches, retired and active athletes. Their main target is to revive athletics in the two counties.
During their annual general meeting in Kisii town, they resolved to have six cross country and road races in honour in pioneer athletes.
Association director Alfred Momanyi said the series will kick off on March 3 next year with the Nyantika Maiyoro 10km race in Kisii town. It will be followed by Magwagwa cross country in Nyamira County on March 26.
The third race in the series will be the Naftali Temu Memorial Cross County in Nyamira on May 15 followed by Motonto Cross Country in Kisii on June 11.
The Robert Omwanza Memorial race will be held in August 20 in Kisii County. The series will culminate in the second edition of the Robert Ouko Sports Day to be held at Manga in Nyamira on December 7.
Momanyi said the aim of the series is to honour departed athletes and identify talent. He appealed to Governors Simba Arati of Kisii and Amos Nyaribo of Nyamira to support the series. He said they have already done proposals to the two counties.
“We are also appealing to well-wishers and corporates to sponsor the series. We want to restore our lost glory,” added Momanyi.
Last week, the association held talks with Governor Nyaribo and Sports Minister Grace Nyamongo, who promised to support the association. The county is already sponsoring the Nyamira Great Run Series.
The association plans to establish athletics training camps in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
During the elections, presided over by Fred Onundu — a sports officer in Kisii County— all the officials were re-elected unopposed. Former marathoners Gladys Asiba and Samuel Nyang’icha were elected as chairman and deputy respectively.
Edwin Nyakeriga retained the secretary’s post while Isabella Ochichi bagged the deputy secretary’s post.
Others are Jackline Mong’are (treasurer), Naftali Mayoyo (public relations officer), Alfred Momanyi (director), Peter Oenga (deputy director). Executive committee members include Haron Onchong’a, Gladys Nyarangi and Margaret Mong’are.
Kisii County Local Organising Committee members elected were Julius Gwako (chairman), Stanley Mariga (secretary), Eunice Tanai (treasurer).
Nyamira County Local Organising Committee members elected were Peter Oenga (chairman), Isaac Nyambega (secretary) and Pacifica Monda (treasurer).