Wise counsel: President Kenyatta directs federations to select strong teams for Commonwealth Games

By ERNEST NDUNDA                

President Uhuru Kenyatta  hands over the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton to National Olympic Committee of Kenya chairman Kipchoge Keino after it had been presented to him by the representative of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Sharad Rao in Mombasa, yesterday. [PHOTO: GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed all the federations to select formidable teams to adequately represent the country in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympic Games.

“The Government is fully committed to ensuring that the right practices are put in place to guarantee a steady growth and improvement of sports,” said the President.

“A lot needs to be done by all the federations to adequately pre pare our national teams to various disciplines ahead of the Commonwealth Game and the Youth Olympic Games among other many continental and international championships scheduled for this year,” said Uhuru.

Uhuru spoke at the State House, Mombasa when he officially received the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen’s baton.

Present were Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts, Hassan Wario, British High Commissioner to Kenya, Christian Turner, National chairman Olympic Committee of Kenya Kipchoge Keino, former marathoner Catherine Ndereba and 1954 Commonwealth Games hero Maiyoro Nyandika, and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, among others.

Sharad Rao, representative of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Football Federation of Kenya (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya and his Boxing Association of Kenya counterpart John Kameta were also present.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom from July 23 to August 3, this year while the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games will be held on August 16-28 in Nanjing, China.

PREPARE ADEQUATELY

Uhuru called on the corporate sponsors and other stakeholders to supplement the Government’s effort by committing more financial and human resources to prepare the national teams adequately for the two major international championships.

Uhuru said proper preparation would see the national teams excel and be set for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

He said Kenya’s participation in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games would be an important tool to achieve economic growth, environmental conservation and promote world peace.

“Kenya has been a proud member of the Commonwealth Games, which dates back to Vancouver Games in 1954 and sports provide a great occupation for the youth to engage their minds and energies positively,” said the President.

On football, the President said he would like to see Harambee Stars participate in Africa Cup of Nations after the successful performance in the recent Cecafa Senior Challenge where Kenyan won.

“Success must be our goal in all sports federations and the Government will not relent it its efforts of guaranteeing a steady growth and sports improvement,” added the President.

The British envoy said the arrival of the Queen’s Baton signifies the cordial relationship between Kenya and Britain.

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