Cheers for the Daegu medalists on arrival

By Isaiah Lucheli

World Marathon gold medalist Abel Kirui and the Kenyan athletics team received arousing reception when they returned following the team’s sterling performance at the world championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Though the homecoming fell short of the people’s expectations after 15 of 17 medalists did not turn up, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Athletics Kenya (AK) officials were at hand to receive them.

World Marathon gold medalist Abel Kirui on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday. It was all colour and pomp in welcoming the athletics team to South Korea that made Kenya proud. Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard

The athletes did not travel with the other others because of the scheduled Diamond League slated for tomorrow.

“The athletes are set to compete in the Diamond League in Zurich, Switzerland, tomorrow. Late, they will travel to Brussels, Belgium, for another leg of the competition,” explained Peter Angwenyi of AK.

Despite the few stars, traditional dancers belted out their favourite tunes, praising the country’s finest for making Kenya proud.

Indeed, the Kenyan flag went up so many times during the medal awards ceremonies and the anthem sang seven times that the watching world became familiar with the prayerful tune.

Posed for photos

At the airport on Tuesday, visitors and tourists were caught up in the celebration and even some joined in the festival by posing for pictures with the heroes and watching the traditional dances.

The huge banners welcoming the stars also served as backdrop for some enthusiasts who wanted to capture the moment.

The banners read, ‘God Bless Kenya. God Bless our Athletes’ and ‘7 Gold 6 Silver and 4 bronze’. The banners had pictures of mursik gourds that have become synonymous with our athletes

A crowd of relatives, friends and supporters of the athletes were at the airport. The police had to intervene to control the people who were surging forward to greet the medalists.

The people waved miniature flags and cheered with joy reminiscent of the excitement as the athletes scooped medals in Daegu.

With a garland of Kalenjin traditional ornamental plant, Sinendet around their necks, Kirui and Brimin Kipruto, who was a silver medalist in the 3,000m steeplechase, were treated to song and dance before their firends, relatives, and families welcomed them.

Garland

The two were also given a treat of the traditional sour milk, mursik.

A team of Administration Police (AP) officers led by director of operations Patrick Pamba and Central Province Commandant Joseph Keitany took charge of the gold medalist’s programme.

Mr Pamba said Kirui, who is an AP sergeant, had made the department and the country proud. APs came in large numbers to welcome their hero.

“After the celebrations here, the athlete will be taken to a five- star hotel to rest after which he will be taken to the AP Commandant’s office for a courtesy call,” said Keitany, grinning with excitement.

Kirui had cheekily said he hoped his excellent performance on track would make his bosses promote him...and Keitany on Tuesday said the matter would be determined by the commandant during the visit.

Others present were sports Assistant Minister Kabando wa Kabando, MPs Shabir Shakir, Lucas Chepkitony and Joseph Kiptanui, and AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat and David Okeyo, the secretary.

Kirui said he was delighted by his success and attributed it to hard work and discipline, which made him fight off stiff competition.

The athletes arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport aboard a Qatari flight at 12:40pm.