Nairobi — Athletics Kenya will hold a regional track meeting on April 24 next year as a dry run for the African Athletics Championships three months later, Athletics Kenya secretary general said on Monday.

Okeyo said the mini championship, which will feature athletics from the Eastern Africa region, will be used to test the equipment which will be used for the continental meeting. This, Okeyo said , was a recommendation of visiting IAAF broadcasting director Ernest Obeng.

The local organising committee for Africa championships is under pressure to secure all the necessary equipment by December 31 ahead of the inspection from the Confederation of African Athletics technical team in January.

"Time is certainly running out on us. We have already forwarded our list to IAAF and we have to wait and see what they can provide. But the remainder must be bought by us. AK chairman will be travelling to Monaco next week and will get a response on how much IAAF will be chipping in," said Okeyo, the chief executive officer of the 2010 local organising committee.

The event was postponed from April to July after government delayed in releasing its funds. But three months since, the government has done little to meet its part of the bargain in organising the event. As a result the LOC has to send fresh invitations to all the 53 member federation for the championship set for July 28.

"We are yet to open the accounts as directed by the minister. But we are doing everything possible to see that we get the secretariat and all committees going. The ministry is helping us secure the funds but the process is tedious," he said. Kenya's progress in the organisation of the event will be put to test in January when the technical committee come calling. Two months later, it will be the turn of the organising delegates to tour Kenya in March.

Corporate support

"Next year will be crucial to us. Our committees need to work fast and meet their targets to lure support from the corporates. But the main challenge will be the demands of the technical and the organising committees. The last group to come will be the medical delegates whose interest will be in seeing the doping areas and kits," added Okeyo.

The event will also be used to honour retired athletes who have excelled in international athletics. During the last championship in Addis Ababa, 20 athletes were honoured as Africa's legends.

Okeyo said they have already started the process of selecting the best 180 officials and umpires to help in the judging and officiating of the championship. A group of 60 officials have gone through the IAAF Level One course and they expect to complete the process by March.

"They will be given certificates to affirm their participation and qualification in overseeing the success of the championship. With elite runners coming into the country, the job of the officials will be monitored closely," said Okeyo. Meanwhile, AK the Imenti South 10km Road Race will be launched today. The race, which is being funded by area member of parliament Kiraitu Murungi is to tap talent from the great Eastern Province.