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Nairobi, Febuary 27, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki with the National Rugby Sevens Team Departing for the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Cup during the presentation of the National Flag at State House Gardens, Nairobi.

President Kibaki today congratulated the national rugby team for the exemplary performance in Wellington, New Zealand and San Diego, USA where the team beat world-renowned teams to qualify for the world cup in Dubai and improve their world ranking to sixth position.

President Kibaki who was speaking at State House Gardens after presenting the National flag to the National Rugby Sevens team departing for the world cup in Dubai, said the team's current ranking in the world, is the best Kenya has ever achieved in the game and a milestone in the country's quest to be a great sporting Nation.

The President presented cheques totaling Ksh.1.736M. as Government's motivation cash token awards to the players in recognition of their qualification for the world cup and to facilitate the trip to Dubai.

President Kibaki welcomed noble plans by the Kenya Rugby Football Union to work with the Ministries of Education and Youth Affairs and Sport in spreading the game to primary schools as a competitive sport thus widening the player base.

"Your achievements, I note, have been made from a relatively small pool of players around the Country. It is for this reason that I welcome the plans to spread the game and widen the player base", the President said

The Head of State noted that the Government attached a lot of importance on sports as a tool for nurturing understanding, trust and unity among people and would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure youth reap maximum benefits.

On football, President Kibaki said that the Government has this financial year disbursed kshs. 210 million to all the constituencies for development of the discipline at the grass root level.

The money, President Mwai Kibaki said has already been released to the constituencies and challenged members of parliament to ensure the investment was put to the intended use.

On the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Head of State expressed the Government's wish that participating sports organizations start preparations early to give teams adequate exposure to perform well.

"I am informed that plans are under way to ensure that Kenya maintains her excellent showing in the 2008 Beijing games at the next Olympics in London. I am happy to note that the Ministry of Youth and sports and the sporting fraternity have embarked on the 'road to twenty twelve' London Olympic Games where your own game of rugby will be a demonstration sport", the Head of State told the team.

The President thanked the team sponsors, Virginia Atlantic Airlines and Telkom Kenya for the good gesture and encouraged other corporate organizations to emulate the patriotic example.

He wished the team well in its international assignment in Dubai and called on the players to remain focused to beat their opponents to lift the trophy.

Youth and Sports Minister Prof. Helen Sambili pledged the Government commitment to award cash tokens to the Rugby players on winning the world cup in Dubai.

The Minister said her ministry in conjunction with the Kenya Rugby Football Union is working on a programme to promote the game among clubs and youth who are out of school.

Prof. Sambili said a sports bill prepared by the Government for tabling in parliament soon, the proposed sports lottery and International Sports Academy will go along way in development of the sports in the Country.

The Chairman of the Kenya Rugby Football Union Mr, Richard Omwela and the Team Captain Mr. Humphrey Kayanga addressed the gathering.