)
Kenya's government is developing policies to prevent the poaching of athletes by foreign nations and enhance local sports infrastructure.
Kenyan President William Ruto recently addressed the pressing issue of athlete poaching by foreign nations during a breakfast reception at the Eldoret State Lodge.
With key stakeholders in attendance, including the Kenyan Olympics team that performed admirably at the Paris Olympics, President Ruto outlined the government's commitment to tackling the migration of top-tier athletes to countries like Bahrain, Israel, Qatar, and the USA.
)
18:37 - 15.08.2024
LIST: 5 of the most educated Olympians who competed at Paris Olympic Games
From winning medals on the Olympic stage to pursuing Master's degrees, a list of five of the most educated Olympic athletes who were in action at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Amidst a celebratory atmosphere for the team's return, the President voiced his concern over the growing trend of Kenyan athletes representing other nations.
"The Government will work with all stakeholders to develop a policy that will address the challenges hindering Kenya’s progress in sports," he declared.
"Our athletics dominance is increasingly being encroached upon. We must come up with initiatives to correct the situation," President Ruto emphasized as quoted by The Star.
His government plans to work closely with national and county governments, as well as sports federations, to craft a comprehensive sports policy that addresses these concerns comprehensively.
)
15:00 - 17.08.2024
Noah Lyles details his struggle growing up in a cult and overcoming spiritual obstacles
American sprinter Noah Lyles discussed his challenging cult upbringing and its lasting impact on his family's faith and resilience.
The poaching of athletes has been a contentious issue, highlighted by incidents where Kenyan-born athletes have excelled on the international stage under foreign flags.
Notably, Winfred Mutile Yavi recently won gold and set a new Olympic record in the 3000m steeplechase for Bahrain, sparking widespread debate in Kenya about the loss of native talent to other countries.
The President reassured the public and athletes that the Sports Fund, established to support sportspeople's welfare, will be strictly used for its intended purpose.
"The fund would not be used for other purposes but to cater for the welfare of our sportsmen and women who he described as the greatest ambassadors of Kenya," he affirmed.
)
16:17 - 17.08.2024
Tamirat Tola shares how Eliud Kipchoge & Kenenisa Bekele inspired him to Olympic glory in Paris
Tamirat Tola has recounted how toeing the line for the men's marathon alongside Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge inspired him to give his all for Olympic glory.
Ruto's administration also aims to diversify the sports disciplines at the international level, encouraging more inclusive participation across various sports.
“By expanding and diversifying our sports, we will get more people participating,” the President noted.
Furthermore, the government has intensified efforts to combat doping, a significant concern that has marred the country's sports reputation.
"We will deal with the doping menace not to undermine our sporting activities, but to deal with the problem," President Ruto stated.
)
07:04 - 16.08.2024
Athletics pays! Staggering amount Beatrice Chebet has earned from her track wins in 2024
Beatrice Chebet is enjoying a great season after adding two Olympics gold medals to her cabinet and those wins have greatly boosted her earnings in the last five months.
In addition to policy reforms, President Ruto encouraged the nation to celebrate rather than criticize their athletes.
"Let’s criticize our athletes less and celebrate them more. We should always thank and appreciate our success in sports," he urged.
The initiatives outlined by President Ruto not only aim to retain athletic talent but also to elevate the standards and global competitiveness of Kenya's sports sectors.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
![Olympics medalists be warned! Hunter Woodhall’s big blunder that left his medal badly damaged [VIDEO]](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/25112024/cbddb40c-974b-4129-8c72-4e58203cc2c4.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)