National women’s team Harambee Starlets players have welcomed the move by the government to give sports men and women Sh10,000 for the next three months as a way of cushioning them from the effects of Covid-19.

The players have been receiving the money straight to their mobile phones after the Sports Ministry decided not to involve their respective federations  given some of them have a history of short-changing athletes.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed confirmed last week that the government will release a stimulus package to cushion the athletes since some of them have gone for months without pay from their respective clubs while others have not earned since sporting activities, which they depend on, were cancelled due to the coronavirus.

So far, a number of players from Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and National Super League clubs have received their money same as Women’s Premier League stars.

“Yes I received the money and my colleagues from the club also confirmed  the same.

We thank the Sports Ministry for the humble gesture as the money will definitely help,” Gor Mahia forward Nicholas Kipkurui told People Sport yesterday.

Celebrated twin sisters Sharon Aluoch and Vivian Akinyi, who play for Gaspo Youth in the Women’s Premier League, were also full of  praise for the government.

“We actually shared the Sh20,000 among us and we will also give our mother something because she depends on us,” said Akinyi.

However, corporate clubs Posta Rangers, Tusker, KCB and Bandari have voiced their discontent after they were left out of the stimulus programme with the latter specifically calling on the government to include their players since the parastatal is struggling financially and unable to pay their players.