On Wednesday, the Ministry of Sports at Talanta Plaza in Nairobi inducted the late world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum into the Talanta Hall of Fame.
The late marathoner was honored as a "legend who brought much honor to Kenya" by Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, who presided over the ceremony.
"While we have all these legends here, this is the first induction ever to be done. We have never formally inducted anyone, but Kelvin becomes one of the legends to be formally inducted into this Hall of Fame," Namwamba said.
Namwamba agreed that Kiptum would be remembered both during his lifetime and after passing.
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KENYA'S MARATHON LEGEND KELVIN KIPTUM INDUCTED #TALANTA HALL OF FAME
— Min. of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports (@moyasa_ke) March 20, 2024
This morning, Kenya’s sports fraternity gathered in unity to pay tribute to one of the country's exceptional marathon athlete, the late Kelvin Kiptum, on his induction to the prestigious #Talanta Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/Y14HH2S20k
"Kiptum was honored in both his life and death, as we stated when burying him. This will endure as a testament to his believable accomplishment," he continued.
The induction took place after a meeting between the CS, Kiptum's families, and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
Early this month, the late marathoner received additional honors when he was named the 2023 Sportsman of the Year Award winner at the 20th Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA).
Barnabas Korir, the chairman of Athletics Kenya's Nairobi branch, stated that the government's recognition of Kenya's athletes began with the induction of the country's legendary athletes.
Korir, speaking on behalf of AK president Jackson Tuwei, said, "I want to thank the ministry for such an idea and the changes that we have seen in the management of sports and the idea of Talanta Hela which has given our athletes an opportunity to benefit from their talents."
The families of the late Kiptum, his coach, and lawmakers Gideon Kimaiyo of Keiyo South and Mary Emase of Teso's South were also present at the ceremony.
On February 11, Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Hakizimana died in a terrible car crash.
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