Golf teams to get state funding, says Muteti
What you need to know:
- Sports Kenya chairman Fred Muteti asked Kenya Golf Union to submit a budget for next year’s tournaments to be considered for funding.
- Muteti said Sports Kenya will play its role in the development of the game countrywide.
- Muteti pledged to donate Sh200,000 to national team player John Lejirmah who managed hole in one at the 13th hole in the final round during the inaugural edition of Victoria Cup to help him buy a new set of clubs.
Golf teams representing Kenya in international competitions will get government support just like teams in other disciplines.
Speaking at the weekend after the conclusion of the inaugural edition of Victoria Cup, Sports Kenya chairman Fred Muteti asked Kenya Golf Union officials to submit a budget for next year’s tournaments to be considered for funding.
“Golf has not been given the attention it deserves in the past because of a wrong assumption that it is a game of the rich. Sports Kenya will try and demystify that,’’ said Muteti.
He said Sports Kenya will play its role in the development of the game countrywide.
“There is a need to develop the sport from the junior level and Sports Kenya which has been given the mandate of developing sports facilities in the country, is developing a golf academy at Lenana School which will help not only the students to learn golf but also others from neighbouring schools,’’ added Muteti.
For a long time now, Kenyan teams travelling outside the country for tournaments like East Africa Challenge Cup, Africa Zone Six and All Africa Team Golf Championship have relied on fundraising and corporate sponsorship to honour tournaments.
KENYA BEAT UGANDA
He was speaking at Muthaiga Golf Club on Sunday before presenting the Victoria Cup to Kenya’s national team captain Bo Ciera. Kenya beat Uganda by a point to win the tournament.
Muteti expressed satisfaction with the performance of Kenyan juniors Agil Jamal and Mutahi Kibugu who were part of the victorious national team.
He said Sports Kenya will support Mutahi Kibugu and Kenya national ladies Open champion Kellie Gachaga to participate in the British Open Junior championship next month.
And as a token of appreciation for winning the Victoria Cup Muteti said Sports Kenya will top up each of the players’ allowances to the tune of Sh50,000, amounting to Sh500,000.
Muteti pledged to donate Sh200,000 to national team player John Lejirmah who holed in one at the 13th hole in the final round to help the player buy a new set of clubs.
At the same time, KGU chairman Stephen Muchau Githiaka said there was need for more events to give the young players in the national team the necessary international exposure.
“One of the reasons why we came up with the idea of the Victoria Cup was because of the fact that, there were very few events in the region’’ said Githiaka.
