President Uhuru Kenyatta assured Malkia Strikers, Kenya's National Women Volleyball team, of the government's full support when he met them at Mama Ngina Waterfront Park in Mombasa on Friday, January 17, 2020.
The head of state congratulated the team for it victorious feat in clinching the only African slot at the summer Olympics, adding that his administration was determined to invest in sports through the National Sports Fund.
“We have a fund now, a dedicated fund to promote our sports and culture. I want to make sure that money goes to these people who win the Olympics. We want money invested in our people, we want to see it used in these people who win gold medals for Kenya,” President Kenyatta stated.
He gifted them Ksh1 million as a token of appreciation and directed that the team be moved to the prestigious Pride Inn Beach Hotel in North Coast.
President Kenyatta personally paid Ksh 500,000 to cover the accommodation. He further ordered the SGR management to avail a luxury first-class coach to ferry the team to Nairobi on Sunday, January 19.
The commander in chief affirmed that his office would ensure athletes in the country would earn decent incomes from their talents, in a bid to bolster Kenya's profile on the international sporting stage.
“We must come up with a policy that allows our sportsmen to focus only on sports. Those are the talents God gave them. I want them to know that one can focus on sports and earn a living through their talents,” the head of state assured.
The Malkia Strikers set the stage for a comeback to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, drawing the curtains on Kenya's 16-year absence from the summer event.
President Kenyatta recognised sportsmen and women as Kenya's foremost ambassadors abroad. He noted that the athletes played a major role in national unity and therefore warranted state support.
“A lot of people know Kenya because of our gallant sportsmen and women. Undisputedly, there’s one thing that makes us Kenyans, and that is our sports. When our sportsmen and women are out there, all Kenyans come together forgetting their petty differences,” Uhuru stated.
Alongside Tourism CS Najib Balala, the head of state was treated to a display match staged by the team.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed and Lamu MP Ruweida Mohamed also accompanied the president.
