)
Mary Moraa has given a candid explanation of why the government should consider supporting all athletes financially like the US and other nations.
Mary Moraa has pleaded with the government to support athletes and emulate countries like the US in appreciating their talent.
The Commonwealth Games champion explained that countries like the US always award prize money to top athletes even during trials for either the World Championships or Olympic Games.
This season, the US Olympic trials offered prize money to the top eight finishers of the races. The winners of the race walked away with about Ksh1.4 million ($11,000) while those who finished second and third pocketed Ksh1.14 million and Ksh854,963 respectively.
)
17:00 - 12.07.2024
Vivian Chebet's story of luck from finishing fifth at Olympic trials to receiving late call up to women's 800m team
Vivian Chebet had already lost hope of making the Olympic team after finishing fifth at the Kenyan Olympic trials but luck knocked on her door and she will be flying Kenya's flag high in the women's 800m following new developments.
The athletes who crossed the finish line fourth, fifth and sixth pocketed Ksh569,975, Ksh340,435 and Ksh284,987 respectively. Meanwhile, the seventh and eighth-place finishers walked away with Ksh142,493.
Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya X (Twitter) handle for more updates.
Speaking on the Safari za Mabingwa show hosted by comedian Oga Obinna, the reigning world champion noted that the only recognition they get is being clapped for and cheered on at the airport.
“Like in the US, when they have the trials, they have prize money set aside for athletes who do well…and it’s not little money. In Kenya, there is nothing. When you win they just clap for you and that’s it,” Moraa said.
“It is hard to compare Kenyan athletes to the Americans because, with the money, they can build themselves. For a Kenyan, they have to finish their training and go looking for another job that will earn them some money to buy food and necessities for training.
“I urge the government to look at what other nations are doing and promote the sport. They should at least start giving athletes a token of appreciation whenever they come to compete.”
The 24-year-old added that the only athletes who are recognised are record breakers but not every athlete has the potential of doing that.
)
21:59 - 12.07.2024
Jacob Ingebrigtsen dominates 1500m in Monaco as Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot forced to settle for second
Ingebrigsten comfortably won the event, leaving Kenyan duo of Timothy Cheruiyot and Brian Komen settling for second and third respectively.
She said some athletes travel long distances to compete at the trials and sometimes, the money they use is always loaned.
Moraa noted that whenever they win races, they have to distribute the money to their sponsors, taxes, management and family and sometimes end up with less or even nothing.
“Some athletes travel from far away for the trials and they tend to borrow money to make it to the stadium. The money athletes are given is very little and we face a lot of challenges as athletes,” Moraa said.
“The government needs to support us because we always represent the country well. The government should check on athletes’ welfare and support them.”
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)