Athletics Kenya helps in repatriating body of athlete who met shocking death in Cameroon
16th March 2024
The body of the athlete arrived into the country on Friday evening.
- Kipsang collapsed immediately after finishing the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea, southwest of Cameroon on Saturday, February 24.
- Athletics Kenya noted that they collaborated with Cameroon
Athletics Federation to fly back the body of the athlete.
- The widow, Isabella Kigen, also appealed for help in raising their kids and supporting their education.
Athletics Kenya has stepped in to help the bereaving family
of the late athlete Charles Kipkorir Kipsang who died in Cameroon after
participating in a mountain race.
In a statement issued by Athletics Kenya on Friday March 15,
the body of the late athlete had been repatriated into the country to allow the
family accord him a befitting burial.
Athletics Kenya noted that they collaborated with Cameroon
Athletics federation to fly back the body of the athlete.
"The body of the late Charles Kipkorir is scheduled to
arrive into the country today, 15 March 2024 at 20:05hrs via KQ flight KQ577
from Douala, Cameroon," the statement read in part.
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"Athletics Kenya (AK) received notification of the
athlete's death that occurred on 24th February 2024 after taking part in a
mountain race in Cameroon. AK has worked together with Cameroon Athletics
federation (CAF) to bring the body home to be laid to rest. May he rest in
eternal peace."
Kipsang collapsed immediately after finishing the Mount
Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea, South West of Cameroon on Saturday February 24.
The 32-year-old had completed 39 kilometres of the mountain
running, which he had led for the better part before slowing down towards the
end, finishing 16th after developing pains.
“Athletics Kenya would like to confirm that Charles Kipkorir
Kipsang died on Saturday in Cameroon after taking part in a mountain race. As a
federation, we would like to take this opportunity to condole with Kipsang’s
family during this difficult time.," Athletics Kenya wrote.
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“This is indeed very sad considering it is coming just a day
after burying the world marathon record holder Kevin Kiptum who died in a
tragic road, and when we are preparing to bury the legendary Henry Rono…”
Family's Plea
His family had pleaded for help in bringing back the body
for burial. Speaking to a section of the media, the family lamented that they
were unable to facilitate the process of airlifting the body from Cameroon to
Eldama Ravine.
They appealed to well-wishers and the government to
intervene.
"The body is in Cameroon yet right here at home we have
nothing. The whole family depended on him," Kipsang's sister, Jepng'etich
Kipsang stated adding that the burial plans have been halted.
The widow, Isabella Kigen, also appealed for help in raising
their kids and supporting their education.