Kenyan vets official seeks USA support

For decades, elite Kenyan runners have dominated middle and long distance events at the Olympics and World Championships. But when it came time for the World Veterans Athletic Championships -- as well as WAVA regional meets -- Kenyans have been virtually nonexistent.

That could be changing.

Robert Ouko, secretary of the Kenya Association of Veteran Athletes, has written our colleague Dave Clingan thusly:

"Dear Dave,

"We are in receipt of your fax message introducing a Web site for masters track and field activities. Thank you for this. I am sure this will certainly be of use to those of us who have for a very long time been missing this information.

"We in Kenya have many veteran athletes and masters who lack competitions as not many of these are organised in the country or in the African continent.

"We note there are many of these competitions being organised in the U.S.A. We would appreciate if you could let us know whenever an opportunity arises where organisers can meet full or part of the athletes expenses. Our athletes will be more than willing to take part. We on our part will also start soliciting for sponsorship from various local sorces."

It would be wonderful if some USA masters meet promoter would leap at this opportunity to jump-start Kenyan masters track and increase appreciation and awareness here as well by hosting a former world record holder or two.