Athletics coach wants help for suffering runners
By Philip Yegon, May 26, 2020
The government and prominent track stars have been urged to support athletes who are going through hard times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Athletics coach Geoffrey Chumo said there are athletes who are currently living from hand-to-mouth after sporting activities around the world were either suspended indefinitely or pushed forward due to the scourge.
Speaking in Litein town in Kericho County yesterday, Chumo said sports had become sources of livelihoods for many sportsmen and women not only in Kenya but also around the globe and all these have been disrupted following the coronavirus outbreak.
The hardest hit, according to Chumo are budding athletes who were yet to win various championships or competitions so as to get money thus the need for financial assistance.
“Most athletes rely on competitions which have since been suspended indefinitely or pushed forward so things are difficult now for them.
We therefore appeal to both national and county governments as well as prominent athletes to assist the ones going through hard times so as to put food on the table,” said Chumo.
Chumo, who is the coach at Litein Athletics Training Camp, singled out his camp, saying 20 athletes from the stable are now at their respective homes but require assistance urgently to support them and their families.
“We are appealing to prominent and well-connected athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge and others to support the junior ones and even connect them with sponsors for them to get financial help,” he added.