NAIROBI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenya sports officials have reassured visiting International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) officials of athletes' safety during the 2020 World U20 Championships in the wake of terrorist attack that rocket Nairobi on Tuesday.

Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage cabinet secretary Rashid Echesa and Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei said the cowardly act will not deter them from providing maximum security to the international athletes who will grace the week-long championships, which will be held in Nairobi from July 7 to 12.

A terrorist attack, the first in a Nairobi upmarket region in the last four years, claimed 14 innocent lives and had over 700 people evacuated, according to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"Let me take this opportunity to reassure all that security in all aspects has been taken care of and the World Under-20 Championships will take place in Nairobi as planned. There should be no reason to panic. We will offer maximum protection to our visitors," said Tuwei Wednesday.

Echesa said the terrorist act will not hold Kenya back, and they will do everything to have a 'safe' championship. He was speaking in his office on Wednesday after hosting Thailand ambassador Cherdkiat Atthakor.

The two leaders had their discussion focused on areas of joint cooperation between our nations in areas of sports and culture.

"We will overcome this act of terrorism. I have inspected our stadium, which will have ultra-modern sports and hospitality facilities in place by the time we host the championships," said Echesa.