Opinion:Kudos to our athletes

PHOTO:COURTESY

Sports-wise, the weekend was a satisfactory one for Kenya. The national football team, Harambee Stars, long seen as the lame duck in the region, continued its upward trajectory since coach Stanley Okumbi took the reins last year, to claim its rightful place by beating DR Congo 2 goals to 1 in a thrilling match at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

That win was important because Fifa, the world football governing body, ranks Congo ahead of Kenya at position 38 while Kenya is at position 88. A day earlier, Harambee Stars had been held to a draw by the Uganda Cranes in another entertaining match.

But what got Kenyans thrilled and sitting on the edges of their chairs was the IAAF Cross Country championships held in Uganda.

A sterling performance from the Kenyan athletes saw the women team take the first six positions in the 10-kilometre senior race while their male counterparts, Geoffrey Kamworor and Leonard Barsoton, took Gold and Silver in the men's 10-kilometre category. Our unassailable position was reaffirmed.

Our athletes deserve commendation for their efforts. Often, many get discouraged after sporting authorities in the country fail to support their endeavours or remunerate them adequately as motivation to do even better. Athletics Kenya and the Sports ministry must give our sportsmen and women full support.