Organisers of Nairobi 2010 17th Safaricom African Athletics Championships (AAC) are on high alert following events in Uganda where suicide blasts targeting people watching the World Cup final left 74 dead.

Nairobi 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chair, Isaiah Kiplagat told a local newspaper, “What happened to Uganda is a lesson to us. We have summoned our security team to discuss the details on how to avoid such incidents since our events can easily be a target for mercenaries. We are a bit worried.”

The Organising Chairman expressed confidence that the security arrangements for the 43 expected African nations and fans that will throng the Nyayo National Stadium venue for the five-day event is adequate.

With teams from Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia, the nations targeted by Somali militant group that claimed responsibility for the twin blasts in Uganda expected in Nairobi for the AAC, the LOC moved with speed to review and beef up their arrangements he added.

Al Shaabab with links to Al Qaeda terrorist group, claimed they targeted the Ethiopian restaurant and Kampala Rugby Club in retribution for the two nations support for the Africa Union force in Somalia. They issued similar threats against Burundi.

Kiplagat (photo) disclosed to reporters that some teams would have their accommodation arrangements kept secret to negate any threat to them during the championships. He added security would be tightened around all competitors with only those accredited allowed controlled access. The accreditation process began last Wednesday and facilities, installations and buildings that will be used to stage the African affair are now off limits to any unauthorised persons. A spot check at Nyayo National Stadium, the host venue that is undergoing final preparations revealed a tightened security rings where even members of the press had to detail the exact purpose of their visit.

"We are taking nothing to chance in mitigating against such attacks," Nairobi 2010 CEO, David Okeyo stressed. "Even our secretariat will be sealed off beginning Monday to all unaccredited persons and it is my hope accreditation for media will be complete then," he added.

The following countries have meanwhile confirmed their entrant into the 2010 African Athletics Championships (AAC) including Kenya (hosts), Ethiopia, South Africa, Cape Verde, Chad, Nigeria, Sudan, Botswana (already here), Senegal, Comoros, Gambia, Seychelles, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Burundi, Gabon, Morocco, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Eritrea, Togo, Swaziland, Egypt, Liberia, Gambia, Benin, Central Africa Republic, Mauritius, Zambia, Malawi, Algeria and Tunisia.

It is not clear why Sierra Leone is not part of this list. Athletics analysts here say the country has to do more in promoting sports most especially among the youths and educational institutions, organisations and others.