Kipchoge Keino awarded by UAE for his exemplary contribution in sports

Kenya’s veteran athlete and two time Olympic champion Kipchoge Keino (left) receives Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sports Day award from organisation President Fahad Abdul Aziz Al Breiki at the Whitesands Beach Hotel in Mombasa.

Barely a month after being awarded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) veteran Kenyan athlete and two time Olympics champion Kipchoge Keino has been honored again.

Keino has been honoured by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) based organisation, the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sports Day for his exemplary contribution in sports.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sports Day aims at promoting football and athletics among school going youths in Mombasa as well as other parts of the world. Keino was presented by the award at the Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa by Fahad Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Breiki who is the President of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sports Day.

Al Breiki said Keino has been instrumental in the promotion of sports in Mombasa which has seen many children and youth embrace athletics and football which have been the core sports his organisation has been promoting in coast.

“He has supported our sport day for the last four years. He has attended all sessions where he has inspired and encouraged all the participating athletes,” noted Al Breiki.

Through Keino, the organization has gotten opportunity to work with local and international athletes who have supported and encouraged the children to embrace sports. Among elite athletes who have worked with the organisation include Mark Kiptoo who is the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Sports Day 10km road race reigning champion.

Others are Asbel Kiprop, Micah Kogo, Shadrack Kosgei, Emmanuel Bett and Joseph Jabuya among others. “The athletes have not only taken part in the annual road race but have been instrumental in the mentorship of the youths,” said Al Breiki.

The other reason for honoring Keino, as noted by Al Breiki, was due to his recent feat at the just concluded Rio Olympics in Brazil where he became the first man on earth to be awarded the Olympic Laurel award for his exemplary contribution to sports worldwide.

Keino was given the award by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) at the opening ceremony of Olympics Games that concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last month where Kenya finished 15th overall with 13 medals including six gold, six silver and a bronze.

Al Breiki, while handing over his award to Keino advised that the veteran sportsman is a gem that Kenyans should hold with pride.  

Part of his message inscribed on the award he gave out read: “We congratulate you for being awarded Olympic Laurel trophy at the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games 2016.We thank you for your support throughout the years.”

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