Kenya Plans Bid for 2032 World Masters Athletics Championships

Kenya is preparing a bid to host the 2032 World Masters Athletics Championships, which would mark the return of the prestigious event to Africa after a 35-year absence. Dr. Rose Tata Muya, president of the African Masters Athletics (AFMA), confirmed that Kenya will submit a formal proposal to the global body through the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya. “We have been granted the opportunity to submit our hosting bid for 2032. This will be a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya,” she stated. “We have been participating in these championships for years, and now we believe it would be fitting to bring the event to our homeland.” The outdoor championships, featuring non-elite athletes aged 35 and older, have been held in Africa only once, in Durban, South Africa in 1997. Since its inception in 1975 in Toronto, Canada, the event has predominantly been hosted in Europe, with 12 editions taking place there. Asia has hosted the competition twice, including this year’s event in Daegu, South Korea. Other past hosts include New Zealand, Australia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States. Kenya first participated in the World Masters Athletics Championships in 2016 in Perth, Australia, and has since become a consistent competitor in the event. Dr. Muya, who was elected unanimously as AFMA president last November, stated that a key part of her mandate is to return top-tier competitions to African soil. “We are optimistic that there is a strong possibility they will grant us the opportunity, as South Africa remains the only African nation to have hosted the event, and that was many years ago,” she noted. “Kenya is a dominant force in athletics, both at the elite and Masters levels. We hope they will support our bid as we have made significant advancements in infrastructure development. We anticipate around 110 participating nations.” A successful bid would mark a historic milestone, making Kenya the second African nation to host the championships and further solidifying its status as a global athletics powerhouse.