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Go for gold, minister tells Kenya's Olympic team |
"i Go out there and win gold," was the Kenyan sports administrators' message to the Olympic contingent on Wednesday night.
The sports bigwigs, who included Youth and Sports Minister, Professor Hellen Sam Bili, reminded the sportsmen and women heading for next month's 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, that they had what it takes to clinch the coveted medals.
Speaking at a dinner organised by the mobile phone service provider, Safaricom, for the Olympic team at a Nairobi Restaurant, Sambili re-affirmed government's commitment to the development of sports.
She said the government would continue to reward those who excel in sporting activities as they play an important role in marketing the country and building its image.
According to her, President Mwai Kibaki set the ball rolling last week when he increased, by a big percentage, the cash rewards for Olympic medallists, a reflection of the government's commitment to the development of sports and youth welfare.
President Kibaki, presenting the national flag to the Beijing-bound contingent at the State House, here, last week, said gold medallists would get US$ 11,716, silver medallists US$ 7,812 and bronze medallists US$ 3,906.
The government also increased the cash reward for silver and bronze medallists, in a move geared towards motivating Kenyan athletes.
Thursday morning at the Olympic team residential camp at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Sports Commissioner, Gordon Oluoch, presented a US$ 36,4 3 7 cheque to Chef de Mission David Okeyo.
The money is a reward to medal winners at the recent Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Sambili also gave the athletes tips on security and anti-doping measurers, asking them to avoid strangers, strange food and strange objects in Beijing.
"Don't accept gifts from strangers," she said, pointing out that some of the giv ers could be harbouring bad intentions.
"I am appealing to all team members to maintain high standards of discipline. Be careful and don't accept gifts like sweets, water or harmful substances that might affect your performance. Again, do what your officials tell you and I believe
God will reward the work of your feet, body and mind," she said.
She thanked corporate sponsors like Safaricom, among others, for playing a big r ole in revamping sports in the country.
The minister hailed retired Olympian and National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NO CK) Kipchoge Keino, among other retired gold medallists, for being a role medal to Kenyan athletes.
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