First Lady Margaret Kenyatta with a group of Kenyan athletes taking part in the World Championships. [PHOTO: PSCU]

By Jonathan Komen in Moscow

Moscow: President Uhuru Kenyatta has offered generous incentives to the Kenyan athletics team at the World Championships here in Moscow, Russia.

The President awarded $200 (Sh17,400) to all athletes and officials, $500 (Sh43,500) for bronze medalists, $1,000 (Sh87,000) for silver winners and $2,000 (Sh174,000) for gold medalists.

President Uhuru is the first Kenyan President to see off a team and visit them at a global competition abroad.

He said: “I am happy to be with you here. But I will be there (at home) to welcome you back home…..as I did with the rugby sevens and 15s team. I will take care of you.”

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The rugby sevens were feted by the president for finishing fourth at the International Rugby Board World Cup in Moscow, last month.

He spoke when he hosted the team to a luncheon at Lotte Hotel on the sidelines of Moscow, where he assured the team that the Government was fully committed to improving sports in the country.

“We know you are our number one representatives and I thank all of you for the good job you are doing despite the enormous challenges. You have proved that you can be the best in the world,” said the President.

Huge potential

“Our parliament will ensure we help boost sports to enable you compete on equal footing with the rest of the world. We will strive for the best to ensure you realise your dreams,” said the President

The Head of State said the Government would provide the necessary technical support to perfect their talent.

“Somebody like your captain Julius Yego has exhibited best skills to reach there. We want to make sports something that not only makes our nation proud, but makes livelihood out of sports,” he said.  

The President said Kenya is a country with huge potentials.

“Our tea, coffee, tourism is marketed here through these championships,” he said.

The delegation include Amina  Mohammed, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreigh Affairs and International Trade, Sports Cabinet Secreatary Dr Hassan Wario, Principal Secretary Dr Karanja Kibicho, Lawrence Lenayapa (Comptroller), Jomo Gecaga (Private Secretary) and Ambassador Lazarus Amayo, the Director, Europe and Commonwealth, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya chairman Dr Kipchoge Keino and Parliamentary Select Committee on Labour and Social Welfare were also present.

They include Eusilah Ng’eny (Uasin Gishu County women representative), Winnie Njuguna (Kirinyaga County), Cornelli Serem (Aldai) and Joseph Nkaissery (Kajiado South).

David Were, the chairman of Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Labour and Social Welfare, said it was the only way sports can remain the face of Kenya.

“We are asking the President to put in personal interest in sports. We have won three gold medals and that attests to our potential,” said Were.

Wario said there was need for scientific performance and asked the President to champion for construction of two stadia, one at low altitude and another at high altitude, when he heads for his trip to China from Sunday.

Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat said the competition was tough, but Kenyan can still ascend to the top of the world.