Two Athletics Kenya (AK) Kericho branch officials have lauded President William Ruto’s administration for feting and rewarding athletes who break world records.

Gabriel Kiptanui (vice-chairman) and Geoffrey Chumo (Public Relations Officer) said it was a new dawn in sports and praised the president for being in the forefront to reward, recognise and appreciate efforts made by sportsmen and women in the Sports.

Speaking separately yesterday to PD Sport the duo added that the incentives for athletes who performed extremely well in various athletics events around the globe will result in smashing more world records going forward.
“ It was step in the right direction for president Ruto to announced that world beaters will be recognised, feted and rewarded for breaking world records going forward,” said Kiptanui who doubles up as a coach.

Last week, the head of state the feted world record holder Faith Kipyegon at State House house, Nairobi for smashing two world records in a span of one week. President Ruto rewarded Kipyegon with Sh5 million cash and a three bed-room house worth Sh6 million. Ferdinand Wamanyala, 100m race Africa hero was also feted where he pocketed Sh2million from the state too.

The president then announced that any athlete breaking world record in any event will get a reward of Sh5million from the state going forward.

Kiptanui welcomed the president’s move for the announcement saying it was one of the rarest ever move by the government to demonstrate it has the welfare of sportsmen and women at heart.

“We welcome the president directive to reward athletes who performed extremely well various in athletics events. The move is geared towards motivating and encouraging athletes and sports federations to do even more on sports, “ said Chumo.

Chumo said following the gesture-incentives , the coaches will do more in terms of the training and preparing athletes for major world events saying this was a step in the right direction to scale the heights of athletics.

“The latest development will take sports to the next level. Besides resulting in breaking more world records, it will also increase medal tally for our country during global competitions,” Chumo added.