It’s pay day as Kibaki fetes stars who did the nation proud in Beijing

The port City of Mombasa virtually came to a standstill as thousands of people braved the scorching sun to have a glimpse and welcome the team of sportsmen and women from the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing China.

Nothing was left to chance from the Moi International Airport where the athletes landed aboard two Kenya Air force planes from Nairobi for a historic event to hand over the flag to President Mwai Kibaki  who is currently on a tour of the Coast Province.

The first plane touched the airport at around 9.30 am and the Olympians led by the team Captain Wilfred Bungei, the 800m gold medalist, heightened the air of celebration that had pervaded the area since early morning when people started streaming.

Other athletes who alighted from the planes alongside Olympic Officials were Marathon Gold medalist Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, Brimin Kipruto, Catherine Ndereba, Richard Matelong, Alfred Kirwa, Nancy Chebet Lagat and Eunice Chepkorir.

Kenyan swimming sensation Jason Danford and several other finalists were also in the team. A host of traditional dances were at hand to welcome the team as leaders among them the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, cabinet ministers and other senior government officials lined up to shake the hands of the animated athletes.

The cabinet ministers who were at the airport included Najib Balala (Tourism), Emerson Kingi (East African Community), William Ruto (agriculture), James Orengo (Lands) and Prof Hellen Sambili (Youth Affairs and Sports)

It was history in the making in all aspects as the athletes who took home many medals than in any other Olympic since 1966, were hosted in Mombasa. From their arrival at the airport where personnel from the National Youth Service (NYS) helped them with their luggages as they joined the entertainers and treated to madafu, they were very special guests of the state.

Arrived just after noon

As they left the airport atop a well decorated truck to the venue of the main event of meeting the president and receiving the cash awards that they were promised by the government and other corporate entities, avid residents chanting their praises lined up the road.

Four big trucks carrying supporters snaked their way into the town led by police outriders and boda boda motorcyclists arrived at the Municipal Treasury Square at around 11.15 am to a treat of traditional dance and other forms of entertainment while awaiting the arrival of the chief guest. 

The president arrived with the First Lady Lucy at some minutes to noon and went straight to greet the athletes before the speeches that started with the Chief de Mission David Okeyo who showered glowing tribute to the team.

He said the Beijing Olympics were not only historical in the increased number of medals, it was the first time that women Pamela Jelimo (800m) and Nancy Jebet (1500m) won gold medals for Kenya.

“Wanjiru also made history for Kenya when he broke the world record by winning the Marathon,” he said.

Chairman of the National Olympic Committee Kipchoge Keino called on the government to invest more funds to develop sports through diversifying in other sporting disciplines apart from athletics.

He said the sterling performance called for preparations for the forthcoming Olympic Games in London, in the United Kingdom in 2012.

“For us to be able to perform even better and venture into other fields, the government has to start harnessing the talent that is in schools and train more coaches,” he said.

But for Bungei, who has been with the Kenyan team for ten years, it was also time to crown his career in style when he said he had retired from representing Kenya in such major international meets.

And his parting short- Kenya must strive to beat the Beijing record where it emerged the number African Country and 15 overall out of the 204 nations that took part in the Olympics this year.

Other speakers at the function were the minister for sports Prof Sambili, Prime Minister Mr Odinga and the Vice President Mr Musyoka who all described sports as a unifying activity that needs to be promoted

Finally it was time for the rewards as the president gave out the cash awards of Sh2.3m for all the old Medalists, 1.25million for the silver and Sh780, 000 for the Bronze medalists.

Other finalists and officials also received some tokens from the government and other companies including Safaricom, Nakumatt Supermarkets, Equity Bank, Kenya Pipeline and Blue Shield Insurance.

And in honour of the sterling perfomance, the president said the government will establish an international sports academy which will serve as a centre of excellence to nurture and develop sports.

The athletes were later treated to a luncheon at the Mombasa State House.