Kibaki sees off Sevens team to World Cup in Dubai

By B S Mulavi

President Mwai Kibaki handed over the national flag to the sevens team that leave today for the Sevens World Cup rugby tournament in Dubai between March 5 and 7.

And at yesterday’s function the team received a Sh1.736 million boost. They had been invited to State House for a send-off by the President at a ceremony attended by Sports minister Helen Sambili, Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch and Kenya Rugby Football Union chairman, Richard Omwela, among others.

In his speech, Omwela voiced concern over Government support for rugby. “We have been struggling to get this team to where it is, and only been able to handle ourselves through sponsorship,” he said.

“But I am glad to see we are making strides with the Government, now that we have been working closely with the Sports minister.”

Cash awards

Sports minister Hellen Sambili laid Omwela’s worries to rest with the announcement of cash awards for the sevens team if they perform well in the World Cup. The team had been left out of the cash award scheme for athletes and footballers.

Sambili announced she would fight for the enactment of the Sports Bill, which is to be tabled in parliament.

“We will table the Sports Bill in parliament and I am confident my colleagues will ensure it is passed for the well being of every sports player,” she said.

The icing on the cake came when President Kibaki handed the check to captain Humphrey Kayange.

“In recognition of the team’s outstanding achievement so far, my Government has given a token of Sh300,000 and we will support your trip to Dubai to the tune of Sh1.4 million,” President Kibaki said.

Also promised

He also promised to support the team in future. “The Government has allocated Sh210 million for the development of football and soon we may have the same for other sports such as rugby,” he said.

“I welcome plans to work with the ministries of Education and Youth Affairs and Sports to help spread the game of rugby and widen the player base by introducing the game as a competitive sport in our primary schools,” he added.

Coach Benjamin Ayimba was ecstatic: “I have been in rugby for a long time and it has taken an equally long time to achieve this. With the Government support, the pressure is on us to perform,” he said.

|   |    |   Add Comment |    Comments (0)