By KPC Sports Reporter
Kenya is preparing a bid to host the 2032 World Masters Athletics Championships, a move that could see the prestigious event return to Africa for the first time in 35 years.
The African Masters Athletics (AFMA) president Dr. Rose Tata Muya confirmed that the country, through the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya, will submit a formal proposal to the global body.
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“We have been given the opportunity to submit our hosting bid in 2032. It will be a collaboration between the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya,” she said.
“We have been going out to take part in the championships and now we feel it will be noble if it comes home.”
The outdoor championships, which feature non-elite athletes aged 35 and above, have only been staged in Africa once — in Durban, South Africa in 1997.
Since its inception in 1975 in Toronto, Canada, the event has largely been hosted in Europe, with 12 editions held there.
Asia has staged the competition twice, including this year’s show in Daegu, South Korea, while other hosts have included New Zealand, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States.
Kenya made its debut at the World Masters Athletics Championships in 2016 in Perth, Australia, and has since become a regular participant.
Dr. Muya, who was elected unopposed last November as AFMA president, said part of her mandate is to bring top-tier competitions back to African soil.
“We are hopeful, there is a huge possibility that they will be open to give us the chance because in Africa it’s only South Africa which has hosted the event and it was a long time ago,” she said.
“Kenya is a powerhouse in athletics for both elite and the Masters. I hope they can help us because we have made tremendous steps in infrastructure development. And we could expect about 110 participating countries.”
If successful, Kenya’s bid would mark a historic moment, positioning the country as the second African nation to host the championships and reinforcing its reputation as a global athletics powerhouse.
