By PPS
NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged a Sh100,000 reward to every player of the Kenya Rubgy Sevens National Team to the World Cup Championship in Moscow, Russia if they win the championship.
Speaking yesterday at State House Nairobi when he handed-over the national flag to the rugby team, President Kenyatta said each player will get Sh75,000 if they make it to the finals, Sh50,000 if they reach the semis and Sh20,000 if they qualify for quarter finals.
“You have done the country proud in the past and am convinced that you will do it again,” President Kenyatta said.
Commending the national rugby team for its sterling performance in past championships, the President said the team has not only projected the country’s prowess as a sporting nation but also inspired many young people.
“For a long time Kenya has been renowned for its athletes. But thanks to the Kenya Rugby Sevens, the country is now also renowned as a rugby playing nation,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of sports in addressing many of the challenges affecting the youth.
“I know no better way of tackling the issues of drug abuse, alcoholism and some other vices than to create for our nation sportsmen and women who the youth can emulate and look up to,” he said.
Noting the country’s sports sector has been underfunded in the past, President Kenyatta said his Government will ensure sufficient budgetary allocation for sports.
“We need to inject more money into sports to bolster support for our sportsmen and women who are ambassadors of the nation,” he said.
President Kenyatta also commended the Kenya Rugby Union for its transparency and commitment to promoting the sport and urged other sports federations to emulate it to make the country a greater sporting nation.
Deputy President William Ruto pointed out that sports is a major component of the country’s development. Wishing the team success, the Deputy President said that sportsmen and women are great ambassadors of the country.
Sports, Culture and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario disclosed that his ministry has been working closely with the Kenya Rugby Union and the national rugby team to ensure its success.
He pointed out that the ministry has already provided Sh3 million towards the national rugby team’s preparations and training in England on its way to Moscow for the World Cup Championship.
Dr Wario added that the ministry is also exploring the possibility of providing more funds for the actual participation of the rugby team in the Moscow World Cup Championship.
He also called for visionary leadership in sports federations, saying there is no place for politics in sports.
Others present included Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Mwangi Muthee, Youth Affairs and Sports Permanent Secretary James Waweru and Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni.
