Absa Bank Kenya has committed Sh60 million towards the 2025 athletics season, continuing its support for local and international competitions.

The investment includes title sponsorship for this year’s Absa Kipkeino Classic, scheduled for May 31, 2025, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.

Of the total amount, Sh40 million will go to Athletics Kenya for rights fees and to facilitate the planning and delivery of the Kipkeino Classic.

The remaining funds will support other athletics events, including the Absa Sirikwa Classic held in February and upcoming youth-focused activities organised by Athletics Kenya.

The Kipkeino Classic is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series and is expected to attract 189 athletes, 59 of whom are Kenyan.

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Athletes confirmed for the men’s 100m include Ferdinand Omanyala, Otieno Mark, Olympic champion Jerome Blake, World U20 Champion Bayada Walaza, and World Indoor 60m silver medallist Laclan Kennedy.

Botswana’s Tsaone Sebele and Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji will feature in the 200m, while Wiseman Were and Mary Moraa will represent Kenya in other events.

The government acknowledged the role of private sector sponsors in growing sports.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, said the Kipkeino Classic has grown into a major global event:

“The Kipkeino Classic has grown into a world-class event in 6 years, and this has inspired the government to make more commitments towards the event," Mvurya stated.

"I want to thank Absa Kenya for remaining steadfast in consistently supporting Athletics Kenya for the past 6 years, underscoring the value of public-private partnerships in growing sports in the country."

Absa Bank Kenya said the sponsorship reflects its continued dedication to promoting sports across the country.

Mwihaki Wachira, the Bank’s Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, said the commitment reflects Absa’s belief in sport as a transformative force.

“We believe sport is a powerful force for national unity, pride, and empowering communities for progress. Over the last decade, we have invested over Sh1.3 billion in Kenyan sports from athletics to golf and football, seeing them as integral in connecting with Kenyans and as platforms to tell the inspiring stories of our athletes,” she said.

She added that the ongoing collaboration with Athletics Kenya is aimed at strengthening the sport's future.

“Our partnership with Athletics Kenya, now in its 6th year, is about growing the sustainability of athletics and sports in general. Through this collaboration, the Absa Kip Keino Classic has become a world-class event, attracting global champions to compete in a country well known for its athletics prowess and showcasing Kenya as a serious athletics destination,” she said.

Athletics Kenya expressed confidence in the event’s continued growth and impact.

The federation’s president, General Jackson Tuwei, said the Kipkeino Classic remains one of Africa’s standout competitions.

“The Absa Kipkeino Classic has become one of Africa’s most memorable events thanks to strong partnerships like the one Athletics Kenya has with Absa. We look forward to welcoming world-class athletes to the Kenyan stage and assure the public of a thrilling day of sports as the world turns its attention to Kenya,” Tuwei said.

“This will be the perfect battleground ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.”

The 2025 edition will also include a kids’ athletics segment under the World Athletics initiative aimed at developing future talent.

Earlier in the year, Absa also supported the Sirikwa World Athletics Gold Cross Country, reinforcing its involvement across the athletics calendar.