21 September 2008
editorial
Nairobi — A recent move by the Government to reward medal winners at the Olympics and Paralympic Games deserves praise.
For long, Kenyan sports stars have put the country on the world map, but the Government has offered little in recognition of their efforts.
As a result, some talented athletes have switched nationalities and gone ahead to win medals for their adopted nations. Others have preferred to solely run on the money circuits and shun national calling.
By honouring the medal winners, the Government has shown its commitment to building a strong relationship with the country's stars and boosting their morale.
First it was the Beijing Olympic stars, then the Harambee Stars, after their World Cup qualifier victory over Namibia, and now the gallant Paralympics team.
It is only through such rewards that our top performers will feel appreciated and put more effort into bringing further fame and glory to Kenya.
With the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games now behind us, it is not time to rest on our laurels and bask in past glory.
The Government and sports stakeholders must now come together to map strategies for future assignments that include the 2010 football World Cup, the same year's Commonwealth Games and 2012 Olympic Games.
The Government should take the full responsibility of funding teams to major competitions as is the practice elsewhere.
President Kibaki's weekend reassurance that the Government would renovate stadiums also comes at the right time. Sports has become a leading income earner and source of employment to many.
By upgrading facilities at the provincial and district level, more talent will be unearthed from the grassroots.
In the same breadth, plans to set up a youth sports academy should be accelerated to help capture such talent.
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