Kenyan Paris Olympics athletes receive more millions at NOC-Kenya Gala
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 24.08.24. | 14:41
The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) also announced hefty prices for the medalists
Team Kenya representatives at the Paris 2024 Olympics will smile all the way to the bank after receiving hefty rewards during the Athletics Kenya (AK) Gala held on Friday, 23 August at a hotel in Nairobi.
Leading telecommunication company Safaricom announced that all medalists would be awarded Ksh200,000. The medalists will also be treated to a fully paid retreat in different destinations in the country thanks to the Kenya Tourism Board.
As if not enough, the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) also announced hefty prices for the medalists.
Gold medalists will be awarded 10,000 USD, approximately Ksh1.29 million. Bronze medalists will walk away with 7,500 USD, approximately Ksh959,000 while silver medalists will receive 5,000 USD, approximately Ksh640,000. All participants will receive Ksh150,000.
This amount is an addition to what they received from the government of Kenya and World Athletics.
Kenyan gold medalists, excluding the Ksh6.5 million from World Athletics that goes to all track winners, ought to receive Ksh3 million, with silver and bronze medals getting Ksh2 and 1 million respectively.
Team Kenya Gala Awards
The colourful ceremony was organized to recognize the team’s impressive performance at the recently concluded Olympics. Kenya had 83 athletes competing in seven disciplines. They topped the African continent with 11 medals; four gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
Among the notable athletes present were legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya Sevens stars who included George Ooro, Dennis Abukuse, Nygel Amaitsa, Vincent Onyala, Tony Omondi, and John Okoth, Zeddy Cherotich of Judo, and Paris marathon bronze medalist Benson Kipruto among others.
The dignitaries present included the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Kipchumba Murkomen, Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jack Tuwei, NOC-K President Paul Tergat, and NOC-K Athletes Representative Humprey Kayange among others.
Speaking during the event, CS Murkomen noted that his administration was keen on ensuring a continuous talent development pipeline to maintain the country’s competitive edge in different sports. He pledged to tackle the long overdue headache of infrastructure in the country.
“We will continue investing in infrastructure from grassroots, and we will support you anytime you go for your trips outside the country. Academies investment is also key for sports investments. We need to have a framework for developing our sportsmen and women in the country,” he revealed.
The CS further admitted that he was still a fresher to the Sports Ministry, calling on the stakeholders to come on board and help him drive Kenyan sports to the desired heights.
“I do not know much. I am a student in this sector who is willing to learn. I am inviting you all to open up and we work together. I do not want new directives to come from my office. You are all the experts. My responsibility is to be a leader and to help you utilize the resources that we have to achieve greatness,” he concluded.
Earlier on Friday, the CS conducted site visits at the Kasarani Stadium, Nyayo, and the Talanta Sports City where he assured speedy progress.
