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| David Rudisha receives a 2 million-shilling cheque from Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore |
Kenya is internationally referred to as an athletics
powerhouse following the consistent and remarkable performance in athletic
events. However, the decoration is a reserve of long and middle-distance runners.
Sprints and field events on the other hand have continued to show dismal performance.
Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore has urged the government and
other stakeholders to support the growth of sprint and field sports in the
country.
Collymore was speaking at a reward ceremony held on Tuesday
where Olympics and Paralympics Medalist received cash rewards amounting to Sh17.2
million from the leading mobile operator.
The company has pledged to support Kenyan Sprinters with the
much needed leadership and facilities, as it seeks to work with Athletics Kenya
in starting a sprint programme.
“Safaricom will now commit to provide some leadership,
support and funding to develop our short distance runners,” said Collymore.
The lack of support and facilities in the country for
instance, denied 800m World Record holder David Rudisha a chance to compete
against World fastest man, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
Speaking at the ceremony Rudisha said, “I have a lot of
passion in sprint and I believe Kenya can produce the best sprinters, I started
as a 400m sprinter before I graduated to 800m because I was being discouraged
to take part in those races by so many people.”
Safaricom rewards
Olympics and Paralympics medalists
The Paralympics team
was the greatest beneficiary receiving Sh10.3 million in total with double
silver medalist in the T12 1500m and 800m David Korir taking home the largest
chunk of Sh2.4 million.
The other big beneficiaries of the day were Gold medalist
Abraham Tarbei, 800m world record holder David Rudisha, Gold Medalist Samuel
Muchai and his guide James Boit who pocketed Sh2.3 million, Sh2 million, Sh2
million and Sh2 million respectively.
The Paralympics team won 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze
medals while their counterparts in Olympics team bagged 2 gold, 4 silver and 5
bronze medals at the 2012 London Games.
Photo Courtesy of @SafaricomLtd
“Success is going from failure to
failure without losing your enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
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