AK rolls out retirement benefit scheme for former athletes
Kenyan athlete Catherine Ndereba at the National Stadium in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 17, 2008. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The project will be rolled out during this year’s Nairobi Diamond Run scheduled for August 17 at Uhuru Park, where veteran athletes will compete in their own category to raise awareness for this endowment fund.
- Two-time world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba and former World Marathon Champion Douglas Wakihuri have confirmed participation in the 10km race for athletes above 35 years.
Athletics Kenya (AK) has launched a retirement benefit scheme that will enable athletes lead comfortable lives after retiring from active competition.
Through their new partnership with County Pension Services, (formerly Lap Trust), interested athletes can now contribute regularly to a nationwide kitty which they access once they quit active competition.
The project will be rolled out during this year’s Nairobi Diamond Run scheduled for August 17 at Uhuru Park, where veteran athletes will compete in their own category to raise awareness for this endowment fund.
Two-time world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba and former World Marathon Champion Douglas Wakihuri have confirmed participation in the 10km race for athletes above 35 years.
“We are putting the interests of the athletes first by ensuring they get assistance on sound financial planning and retirement benefits scheme,” said George Kariuki, AK Nairobi branch secretary general.
Kariuki explained that while athletes are Kenya’s best ambassadors abroad, many of them end up becoming destitute after retirement.
