NAIROBI, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is planning to extend the annual FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally from three to five days, the country's President William Ruto announced on Thursday.

Speaking when he officially waved off the event, Ruto directed the country's sports ministry to work with FIA and the WRC to return the classic event to a five-day affair. Ruto affirmed his government was keen on retaining the Safari Rally as part of the WRC calendar beyond the initial five-year deal which expires in 2026.

His assurances allayed fear that his administration was not keen on giving the country's guarantee required by the FIA to retain it as part of the global calendar, after Safari returned to the WRC in 2021 after a 19-year hiatus.

Ruto added the government is keen on using the opportunities provided by the WRC Safari Rally to drive economic growth. "This will provide a major boost to our economy, increasing incomes for local businesses, and direct and indirect jobs, and attracting local and foreign tourism investment, catering, accommodation facilities and services," he said.

Ababu Namwamba, cabinet secretary in the Ministry for Youth Affairs, Sports and The Arts, said the government will work with WRC to continuously improve the Safari Rally into a world-class sporting event.

Belgian driver Thierry Neuville took early command of this year's Safari Rally after winning the Super Special Stage, as the third round of the event got underway to a roaring start in Nairobi.

WRC Championship leader Neuville took a slender 0.1-second lead over his Hyundai teammate Ott Tanak on Thursday. Neuville (48 points), who carries a three-point championship lead into this round over Toyota Gazoo Racing's Elfyn Evans after the opening two legs in Monaco and Sweden, edged his i20 N partner Tanak by a single tenth over the 4.84km opener.

Toyota's Finnish reigning world champion and 2022 Safari winner Kalle Rovanpera completed the top three, 0.7s further back.

Having recorded two non-finishes in Kenya from three previous attempts, Neuville is well aware that the race will only get tougher. "It will be a challenging event. Our fingers are crossed that, this time, we can get through without any technical problems or mistakes. I think we are well prepared, and I am feeling good in the car, so it's always good to start a rally like this," the Belgian told the WRC website.

The event moves to Naivasha for 19 competitive stages from Friday to Sunday. Enditem

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