President Uhuru fetes Team Kenya for WU18

Team Kenya for the IAAF World Under 18 championships was on Friday feted by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the State House in Nairobi.

The Head of State hailed the team that won 15 medals; four gold, seven silver and four bronze, coming fourth behind South Africa, China and Cuba which took first, second and third positions.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr. Hassan Wario confirmed each athlete will receive a sum of KSh 100,000 in prize money plus a four-day trip to the Coastal city of Mombasa beginning Saturday via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

Mr. Kenyatta heaped glowing praise on the team for their exemplary performance that drew record championship attendance at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani.

“Going by the numbers, I think the turnout of Kenyans tells you how they feel about you and what you did for our country,” Mr. Kenyatta said.

The President expressed his gratitude to the whole Local Organizing Committee (LOC) who organized a spectacular event and wishing he was part of the crowd that showed up to cheer the team on the final day of the event.

“To me it’s not about the winning; it’s the participation and showing that Kenya can actually host an event like this and to the Local Organizing committee I say thank you for a job well done,” the President added.

Mr. Kenyatta reiterated Kenya as a potential destination for major global sporting fiesta the proportion of the IAAF Diamond Leagues and indeed the IAAF World championships, comments that resonated with those of governing body Athletics Kenya (AK).

“I believe that Kenya now should be talking about not just hosting a junior championships but a senior IAAF meet on African continent, we are the home of champions and I promise you my administration support in the future endeavors.”

The President assured that his administration will continue supporting sports to ensure the youth benefit from their talents.

Wario said adoption of the camp system where the youth athletes resided in camps helped to improve their performance.