Queen’s Baton heads to Kenya

Sporting officials hold aloft The Queen’s Baton – the Commonwealth Games equivalent of the Olympic torch – is slated to arrive in the country on Sunday morning for a two-day visit as part of its global tour. PHOTO/NATION 

In Summary

• The Queen’s Baton – the Commonwealth Games equivalent of the Olympic torch – is slated to arrive in the country on Sunday morning for a two-day visit as part of its global tour.
• The Baton – which was introduced by the British Empire during the 1958 edition of the Commonwealth games staged in Cardiff, Wales – has thus far visited and been received by respective Heads of State in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

By David Kwalimwa
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Plans are complete ahead of the Queen’s Baton’s tour to the country early next week, National Olympic Committee of Kenya have said.

The Queen’s Baton – the Commonwealth Games equivalent of the Olympic torch – is slated to arrive in the country on Sunday morning for a two-day visit as part of its global tour.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to receive the baton at State House, Nairobi.

According to Nock Secretary General FK Paul, the Baton will arrive in the country early on Sunday morning.

The official said : “Representatives from all federations and school children will assemble at the Uhuru Park grounds in Nairobi at 9am on the same day, then march with the baton to State House.”

President Kenyatta is expected to receive the iconic symbol of the club games - competed by former colonies of Britain - at a function before handing it over to Nock Chairman Kipchoge Keino, who will lead its tour into Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Before departing the country, the baton will be taken to Karura Forest on Monday where children from several schools, including children with disability will be given the opportunity to view and run alongside its journey in the forest.

The Baton – which was introduced by the British Empire during the 1958 edition of the Commonwealth games staged in Cardiff, Wales – has thus far visited and been received by respective Heads of State in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. The tour of the baton will, as is tradition, precede the start of the Commonwealth Games. The 2014 edition will be hosted in the Scottish capital of Glasgow between July 23 and August 4.

The Baton was flagged of by the Queen in October last year and is expected to travel through all countries and territories of the Commonwealth over 288 days and in the process cover 190,000 km.

Paul said that Nock has started accrediting teams ahead of the 20th edition of the games, after receiving applications from 15 local federations. He said Nock’s target is to surpass the medal haul of 12 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze attained at 2010 games held in New Delhi, India.