Kenyan Gold, Silver and Bronze Medallists celebrate following the Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final (© Getty Images)
On Thursday (4), President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya rewarded Kenya’s successful athletes and coaches from this summer’s World Championships and African Junior championships with a total of Kenyan Sh7.1 million for bringing glory to the country.
In a ceremony held at Kipchoge Stadium, Eldoret, the President presented chegues to the two national teams, and in the richest ever award scheme, the runners, who won medals, also got presents from a community development organisation in form of animals.
Gold medallists in the World Championships were presented with Sh0.5 million each, while Silver medallists got Sh0.3 million and Bronze medallists collected Sh0.2 million. In addition, title winners received heifers while the other medallists were given a sheep each.
The African junior team members who won Gold medals received Sh150,000 each, silver medallists were awarded Sh100,000, and Bronze medallists got Sh75,000.
Officials from the World championship team were promised Sh10,000 each, with the government giving Sh5000 and Kenya Pipeline Sh5000.
This is the third time that athletes who took part in international competitions had been rewarded this year. In April, the team that competed in the World Cross Country Championship in Mombasa received S100,000 each with juniors getting Sh50,000, while on 4 August, the All Africa Games and World Youth Championship squads were rewarded in a similar ceremony held at Kasarani Sports Complex.
Joseph Ngure for the IAAF