Potential athletes in Meru County are set to have a high altitude training centre that will be constructed using national government funds.
Several potential sites in South Imenti, Meru County, have been identified to host a high altitude training centre (HATC) for budding athletics.
Imenti South is on a much higher ground than Meru town which is located at an altitude of approximately 5, 000 feet above sea level.
Parts of South Imenti are at nearly the same altitude with Iten town, the home of Kenya’s best athletes.
Iten town in the Rift Valley is at an altitude of 7,900 feet above sea level and is home to some of the best runners in the world, winning Kenya much admiration, and wealth.
The altitude in Meru County ranges from 300 metres to 5, 199 metres above sea levels, meaning the latter areas are suitable for high altitude training centres.
South Imenti MP Kathuri Murungi said some of the areas that were being considered for a high altitude training centre are Kiangua, Mutunguru, Murungurune and Marimba.
“All these are potential sites will be considered,”Murungi said.
The MP said they were in the process of identifying the most suitable area where public land is available to put up a modern training facility.
“In partnership with Athletics Kenya and others I want to come up with a high altitude training camp. I want to support this activity through the National Government Constituency Development Fund and the sports kitty that we always get annually,” said Mr Murungi.
Murungi said the idea was aimed at developing budding athletes and providing them with an opportunity to use their talents to earn a living.
The legislator said just as athletes from the Rift Valley had taken advantage of their geographical location to set training camps and develop into world-class athletes, he wants to replicate it in South Imenti.
“You realise that athletics has become a big industry that supports large chunks of the population. A high altitude facility in South Imenti will not only benefit locals but others in Meru, neighboring counties and other parts of Kenya,”Murungi said yesterday.
He said funds will be committed to develop the facility which will have the relevant equipment and qualified coaches to turn amateurs into world class athletes
