International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has finally delivered the plaque recognising Iten as a Global Athletics Heritage Landmark.
The plaque was delivered on Tuesday by Athletics Kenya (AK) to Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos in ceremony at the County Headquarters.
North Rift AK officials led by their Chairman Jackson Pkemoi led officials and former athletes during the hand over.
Last year, the IAAF President Sebastian Coe announced Iten town in Kenya and Bekoji town in Ethiopia as recipients of the prestigious IAAF World Athletics Heritage Landmark Plaque at the IAAF/LOC Dinner on the eve of the IAAF World Relays in Yokohama, Japan.
“The recipients we honour have each made an enormous impact in the historical development of the sport of athletics in their countries and beyond,” said Coe.
While receiving the plaque, Governor Tolgos said the recognition was a huge boost in efforts by the County Government to position Iten town as a global athletics capital.
Governor Tolgos said the County had received Sh400 million support from the British Government to establish sports facilities and other economic initiatives in Iten that would attract more local and foreign sportsmen and investors keen on athletics and other sports.
“We have already developed a plan that we will be launching in December and among the facilities we intend to set up are a sports park and an elite sports hub,” he said.
The County Boss called on athletics stakeholders to continue working together to scale up athletics promotion in Iten and across the County saying the County Government has always supported the development of the sport.
He said a monument will be established to display this plaque as a permanent landmark and recognition of Iten as an athletics capital.
Present during the ceremony were Sports CEC Anita Kimwatan, County Secretary Paul Chemmuttut, Chief Officer Edwin Seroney among other county officials.
