Chris Musumba
25 August 2008
Nairobi — A total of Sh22.5 million will be paid out to the triumphant national Olympic team that returns from Beijing Wednesday.
Kenya finished 15th overall in the medals standings of the Beijing Olympic Games, having scooped five gold, five silver and four bronze medals.
The performance ranked Kenya top in Africa ahead of Ethiopia, who finished 18th overall with four gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
The Commissioner of Sports, Gordon Oluoch, confirmed that the team was due to visit Mombasa State House on Friday, where they will hand back the national flag to President Mwai Kibaki.
As the government announced a new award scheme to reward the medallists, the corporate world also came on board with pledges that will push the total figure even higher.
The government pledged Sh750,000 for gold medals, Sh500,000 for silver and Sh250,000 for bronze medals.
That figure increased with the coming on board of Safaricom, Equity Bank, Nakumatt Supermarkets and America East Africa Corporation.Safaricom promised to match the government offer.
American EAC will pay an additional Sh250,000, Sh150,000 and Sh80,000 to the gold, silver and bronze medallist respectively.
Nakumatt will give out gift vouchers worth Sh100,000, Sh60,000 and Sh30,000 to the medallists.
Oluoch said more corporate companies had expressed interest to join in the awarding of the athletes and the figure was likely to climb.The five gold medallists stand to earn about Sh2 million each.
Silver medallists will take home at least Sh1.5 million while bronze medallists will pocket Sh1.25 million.
"The performance in Beijing was fantastic. We have to shown our love and support of these athletes by honouring them," said Oluoch, who returned from Beijing on Friday.
"The government will be in the forefront to do so and they will give out their part. The corporate world will also be interested and I hope it will be good."
The Kenyan contingent to the Beijing totalled 107, and was led by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Sports Minister Helen Sambili.
A total of 57 athletes travelled to Beijing under AK's David Okeyo, who was the chief de mission. He led about 60 officials -- 22 being technical while the rest were part of the management and government delegation.
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