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Kenya's government is developing policies to prevent the poaching of athletes by foreign nations and enhance local sports infrastructure.
Kenyan President William Ruto recently addressed the pressing issue of athlete poaching by foreign nations during a breakfast reception at the Eldoret State Lodge.
With key stakeholders in attendance, including the Kenyan Olympics team that performed admirably at the Paris Olympics, President Ruto outlined the government's commitment to tackling the migration of top-tier athletes to countries like Bahrain, Israel, Qatar, and the USA.
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Amidst a celebratory atmosphere for the team's return, the President voiced his concern over the growing trend of Kenyan athletes representing other nations.
"The Government will work with all stakeholders to develop a policy that will address the challenges hindering Kenya’s progress in sports," he declared.
"Our athletics dominance is increasingly being encroached upon. We must come up with initiatives to correct the situation," President Ruto emphasized as quoted by The Star.
His government plans to work closely with national and county governments, as well as sports federations, to craft a comprehensive sports policy that addresses these concerns comprehensively.
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The poaching of athletes has been a contentious issue, highlighted by incidents where Kenyan-born athletes have excelled on the international stage under foreign flags.
Notably, Winfred Mutile Yavi recently won gold and set a new Olympic record in the 3000m steeplechase for Bahrain, sparking widespread debate in Kenya about the loss of native talent to other countries.
The President reassured the public and athletes that the Sports Fund, established to support sportspeople's welfare, will be strictly used for its intended purpose.
"The fund would not be used for other purposes but to cater for the welfare of our sportsmen and women who he described as the greatest ambassadors of Kenya," he affirmed.
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Ruto's administration also aims to diversify the sports disciplines at the international level, encouraging more inclusive participation across various sports.
“By expanding and diversifying our sports, we will get more people participating,” the President noted.
Furthermore, the government has intensified efforts to combat doping, a significant concern that has marred the country's sports reputation.
"We will deal with the doping menace not to undermine our sporting activities, but to deal with the problem," President Ruto stated.
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In addition to policy reforms, President Ruto encouraged the nation to celebrate rather than criticize their athletes.
"Let’s criticize our athletes less and celebrate them more. We should always thank and appreciate our success in sports," he urged.
The initiatives outlined by President Ruto not only aim to retain athletic talent but also to elevate the standards and global competitiveness of Kenya's sports sectors.
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