KQ signs deal with Kenyan teams

When the national sevens team won the Singapore sevens leg last year, many Kenyans were disappointed when the side arrived in Nairobi aboard a ‘foreign’ airline.

Patriotic Kenyans were expecting the triumphant team to travel by national carrier Kenya Airways but this was not to be.

Well, Kenyans can rest assured that this will not happen again after the Ministry of Sports signed a deal with Kenya Airways to be the official carrier for all Kenyan teams travelling to and from international events.

The initial one year deal starts immediately and the national under-20 women team, set to take part in next month’s World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia, will be the first beneficiary.

Two national hockey teams scheduled to take part in the world cup qualifiers in South Africa next month will also benefit.

Under the agreement, the airline will offer discounted fares to Kenyan teams, meet and assist where required as well give special recognition while on board. More good news is that the airline will use its partners to fly the teams to destinations they don’t travel to.

According to the airline’s Regional General Manager Grant Onyango, they will seek to offer the best deals for local teams.

“We are proud to be working with the ministry of sports on this venture and believe it will make it easier for Kenyan sportsmen and women to travel. We also promise to offer the most competitive fares,” he said.

Sports Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia termed the deal a game changer that will help them save a lot of money in future.

“It is a major milestone on how we do sports in this country. It will help us save money and plan our travels which gives us a measure of predictability as we move forward. Furthermore, our athletes will be greatly motivated to be carried by the national carrier,” he said.

He said the ministry spends a lot of money on air tickets especially due to last minute confirmations something he says is now behind them as they have sent an itinerary to the airline for all future travel.

Kaberia also confirmed that self sponsored teams will also be included in the deal as long as they are representing the country.

Athletics Kenya chairman Jackson Tuwei hailed the partnership, saying it will a long way toward increasing motivation. Tuwei, however, said he hopes the airline will charge them reasonable fares to encourage them to take advantage of it.