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Nairobi, June 28, 2008

President Mwai Kibaki presents a trophy to the Armed Forces who were best overall team during the 2008 National Athletics Championships held at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.

Government provides Kshs 100m for Olympic games' preparations

The Government has provided more than Kshs. 100 million to assist in the preparations for this year’s Olympics and Paralympics games, President Mwai Kibaki said today.

Speaking at Nyayo National Stadium during this year’s National Athletics Championships, President Kibaki added that during the next financial year his Government will provide Kshs 1 million per constituency to support the participation of the youth in football training and competition at the constituency level.

The President, therefore, urged those who will be charged with the responsibility of managing funds for sports development at the constituency level to do so honestly and transparently for the benefit of the youth.

Noting that his Government has over the years accorded special attention to the welfare of the youth and the development of sports in the country, President Kibaki stressed that sporting activities are important in enabling young people to discover their natural abilities.

“In doing so, they receive the benefit of a healthy life, both physically and mentally,” the Head of State said.

In this regard, President Kibaki encouraged young people in the country to take up sports at an early age, saying this will not only help them to make new friends but also make them more creative and acquire new skills that will enable them face the challenges of life more effectively.

Said the President: “For this reason, the Government is actively supporting sports activities in schools.”

Citing the excellent performance by Kenyan athletes at the sixteenth Africa Athletics Championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia early this year, the President commended them for their hard work and devotion to sports.

“This was a clear demonstration that this country has a large reservoir of sports talent. Not only were new champions discovered, but new events emerged, where we obtained medals, especially in the field events,” President Kibaki said.

In addition, President Kibaki pointed out that Kenyan sportsmen and women have over the years served effectively as the country’ ambassadors, winning marathons in every city across the world and bringing great publicity to Kenya which has in turn encouraged tourists to visit the country.

He, once again, reassured the country’s sportsmen and women that his Government through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will give them all the necessary support.

Observing that sports activities play an important role in rallying people in support of the national teams as was evident during the recent football matches where the national soccer team, Harambee Stars, took on Guinea and Zimbabwe, President Kibaki urged Kenyans to continue with this patriotic spirit.

He added that the sports industry has become a major source of employment and expressed satisfaction that many young people in the country were earning good incomes through their participation in competitive sports.

The Head of State further commended the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the support it gives to the national teams which has contributed to the improved performance.

President Kibaki, at the same time, advised the national team to prepare well for the Beijing Olympic Games which have attracted the biggest number of countries in the history of the Games so as to compete effectively and overcome any challenge.

“Every effort should be made to ensure that the training and selection of the athletes that will represent our country at the Olympics meet the highest standards,” President Kibaki said.

In this respect, the President said he was pleased to see that Athletics Kenya set up a camp for long distance runners in Eldoret and another one for sprinters in Nairobi long before the scheduled residential training for the Olympics team.

Said the President: “I believe that this investment in training will pay off and Kenya will be rewarded with more medals during the Olympic Games. I have no doubt that the determination of these sportsmen and women will enable us to qualify more athletes for this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China.”

President Kibaki also urged all lovers of sport and well-wishers to contribute generously in support of Kenyan teams.

He thanked the Management of New Kenya Cooperative Creameries for supporting Athletics, noting that their contribution of Kshs. 10 million shillings has gone a long way towards the success of National Athletics Championships.

“This support is helping to nurture our athletics talent, while also providing an opportunity for our athletes and their fans across the country to share in this moment of glory,” President Kibaki said.

Speaking during the occasion, Prime Minister Raila Odinga commended Kenyan athletes, saying they have made the country proud and famous in the world through their splendid performance.

Other speakers included Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Prof. Hellen Sambili, Athletics Kenya Chairman Isaiah Kiplagat, New KCC Chairman Matu Wamae and Athletics Kenya Secretary-General David Okeyo.