Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a groundbreaking initiative to reward Kenya’s young athletes heading to the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, with cash bonuses for their achievements. This move marks the first time that Kenyan medallists at the U20 level will receive financial incentives from the government, reflecting Murkomen’s commitment to motivating the athletes to perform at their best. Gold medalists will receive Ksh600,000, while silver and bronze medalists will be awarded Ksh350,000 and Ksh150,000, respectively. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the athletes return home with a significant medal haul, bolstering Kenya’s reputation in athletics on the global stage.
Cash Incentives to Boost Morale
In a significant departure from the past, the Kenyan government has decided to reward its young athletes with substantial cash bonuses based on their performance at the World U20 Championships. Gold medalists will pocket Ksh600,000, with silver and bronze medalists receiving Ksh350,000 and Ksh150,000, respectively. Murkomen made this announcement while handing over the national flag to Team Kenya at a ceremony held at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
“We’re introducing cash rewards for athletes who bring home medals from Lima,” said Murkomen. “Gold medalists will get Ksh500,000, with an extra Ksh100,000 from me, while silver and bronze medalists will receive Ksh350,000 and Ksh150,000.”
This initiative marks a new chapter in Kenya’s approach to supporting its athletes, particularly at the youth level. By offering financial incentives, the government hopes to inspire the young athletes to push their limits and achieve their best in Lima.
Team Kenya: A Strong Contender
The Kenyan U20 team is packed with talent, led by captains Edmund Serem, the African 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist, and Sarah Moraa, the African 800m champion. These athletes have already demonstrated their prowess on the continental stage and are now eager to make their mark globally.
World U20 Cross Country champion Ishmael Kipkurui, 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games 3,000m silver medalist Andrew Alamisi, and African U18 2,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Diana Chepkemoiare are also part of the squad. Their inclusion further bolsters Kenya’s chances of success at the championships.
Murkomen’s Vision for Kenyan Athletics
CS Murkomen emphasized the importance of these championships not only as a platform for individual success but also as a critical component of Kenya’s long-term athletic strategy. The government, in collaboration with Athletics Kenya (AK), has been focusing on grassroots talent development through the establishment of youth camps and sports academies across the country.
“As a ministry, we will establish more sports academies across the country in order to identify and nurture these talents,” Murkomen noted. “I thank the PS Peter Tum and the previous CS (Ababu Namwamba) as well as AK for focusing on grassroots talent identification over the past few years.”
The government’s commitment to nurturing young talent is clear, and the introduction of cash incentives is just one part of a broader effort to ensure that Kenya remains a dominant force in athletics on the global stage.
Encouraging Words from the Leaders
During the flag handover ceremony, Murkomen urged the athletes to compete with excellence and represent Kenya with pride. “When you leave the country, you are all ambassadors of Kenya. Compete with excellence, but also carry our nation’s brand with you,” he said.
AK President Jackson Tuwei also spoke at the event, highlighting the significance of the U20 Championships as a stepping stone for young athletes aiming for elite-level success. He cited examples of top athletes who launched their careers at the U20 championships, including World 800m record holder David Rudisha, three-time Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon, and Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
“As you prepare to go to the seniors, you are going to test yourselves at the U20. The whole world is there. Go and do your best with no fear, you have trained and prepared for this,” Tuwei noted.
Kenya’s Legacy in U20 Championships
Kenya has a storied history at the World U20 Championships, with many of its top athletes first making their mark on this stage. David Rudisha won the U20 title in Beijing 2006 with a time of 1:47.40, Faith Kipyegon claimed the 1,500m title in Barcelona 2012 with a course record of 4:04.96, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a course record of 1:43.76 during the 2021 championships in Nairobi.
“All these great athletes came through the U20 championships and have gone on to succeed in the seniors,” Tuwei said. “We thank the ministry and government for helping us establish these youth academies. We look forward to developing even more young talents.”
A Bright Future for Kenyan Athletics
With a strong team heading to Lima and the government’s new initiatives in place, the future of Kenyan athletics looks bright. The combination of talent, preparation, and motivation could see Team Kenya bring home numerous medals from the World U20 Championships, further cementing the country’s status as a powerhouse in the world of athletics.
As Team Kenya embarks on this journey, the entire nation will be watching and cheering them on, hoping that these young athletes will continue Kenya’s tradition of excellence and bring pride to the country on the global stage.
ALSO READ:Sports CS Murkomen Commends Stadia Renovations, Calls for Certified Construction Standards
