President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration has announced a four-day, fully sponsored vacation for both local and foreign journalists in Kenya this July.
Through the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), the journalists who will cover the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Under 18 Championships, will go on a Safari in a bid to market the country.
"The IAAF World U18 Championships will afford Kenya the opportunity to host more than 2,000 athletes from more than 130 countries from varied parts of the world.
"We see this as an opportunity to cast a spotlight on the best that our country to a global audience as Kenya will have the privilege of hosting more than 300 local and international media. We will, therefore, seize this moment to prime Kenya as a sports destination," explained the KTB Chief Executive Officer, Betty Radier.
The offer is also aimed at motivating more journalists to cover the event especially after many countries backed out of the championships citing security concerns.
The championship's Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has lauded the government on the move promising assistance in picking the journalists who will be eligible.
"If you want to talk about of business development you cannot leave out sports as a tool to drive the same. The government has spent so much to organise the championship and when you see KTB, you see the government involvement.
"We are proud to be in partnership with the Kenya Tourism Board. The World U18 Championships are a great opportunity for us to honour our youth and promote the best of Kenya. Preparations are in high gear and I would like to urge all Kenyans to turn up in high numbers and support our athletes," the LOC Chairman Mwangi Muthee explained.
