Kenya’s athletes on State mission

By Gilbert Wandera

President Mwai Kibaki has asked athletes to show their patriotism when representing Kenya at the London Olympic Games next month.

President Kibaki said this at State House Nairobi on Wednesday when he handed over the national flag to four national teams that will represent the country in various international competitions.

Kenya Team

The President presented the flag to the National Olympic team for London Games, World Junior athletics team that is travelling to Barcelona, the national paralympic team (London) and the Deaf Athletics team that is going to Canada for the World Deaf Games.

Kibaki challenged the athletes to do well in the various disciplines and showcase to the world their patriotic styles as true Kenyans.

“Our national flag symbolizes our nationhood and gives you a national identity through-out the games. I salute all our past and present sporting heroes who have raised our flag high. As a nation we are proud of their accomplishments,” he said.

Kibaki said his Government has embarked on the rehabilitation of various sports facilities in different parts of the country so as to promote all the disciplines.

“We have embarked on the rehabilitation of Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Kipchoge Keino and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani,” he said.

The President further said that the national sports lottery will soon be a reality and will help in funding sports in the country.

He said the Government has a vision of establishing an International Sports Academy.

“The Academy will be utilized for specialized training in various sporting activities. Researchers and other sports professionals will also find it useful,” he said.

Sports Minister Paul Otuoma remained certain Kenya team will do well in the games.

“The team has been picked through a rigorous process and are currently undergoing the best training there is. I’m satisfied that they will bring glory to this country,” he said.

Otuoma further challenged the athletes to focus on the Olympic pointing out that it is the ultimate stop in sports achievement.

“I want to ask our athletes to be focused on the Olympics because winning a medal is the ultimate challenge in any athlete’s career,” said Otuoma.

He said the Government has employed several sports officers to nurture talent at the grassroots level.

“I’m happy about our partnership with UNICEF, which has allowed us to come up with a talent academy to nurture gifted sportsmen in the society,” he pointed out.

Otuoma urged the Government to consider giving tax incentives to companies, which sponsor sports in the country.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) chairman Kipchoge Keino regretted that training grounds continue to get few in the country and this denies the youth an opportunity to grow their sports talent.

Keino said the bar has been raised in all disciplines and Olympics qualification is now more difficult than before. 

“This year we will be represented in only four disciplines — athletics, weight lifting, boxing and swimming— because most sports could not make it through the qualifiers,” he said.