By sportsnewsarena correspondent
Aug 22, 2016
Sports administrators have been put on notice by President Uhuru Kenyatta following their blatant gaffes that gobbled the limelight at the just concludes summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As if the intentional negative doping publicity by a few international media that was intended to disrupt Kenya's preparations before the games was not enough, Kenya sports administrators were in the news for all the wrong reasons from a mix up in securing the necessary credentials to sheer laziness which spilled over to the track and cost the nation medals because of poor preparations and tactics.
In perhaps the strongest reaction to these costly mistakes, President Uhuru Kenyatta stated in an official statement while welcoming the team: "Every Kenyan must take their responsibilities seriously and be ready to face the consequences of their actions. This applies equally to our athletics administration as well as other federations."
President Kenyatta linked administrative hiccups to an exodus of Kenyan athletes who flew different flags at the Olympics.
" We also recognise our brothers and sisters who ably competed under different national flags at the Olympics. It is clear that our talent, values and commitment to succeed have made a strong impression beyond our borders. We must congratulate them as well. At the same time, it is important for us to have a proper understanding of the institutional, policy and administrative failures that have compelled Kenyans over the years to seek opportunity by representing other countries," the President said.
At the send off, the President had urged the athletes to concentrate on the job at hand and ignore malicious talks on doping which emerged during the trials in Eldoret. He admitted the monumental task which faced the athletes before the games.
" Kenya was challenged on many fronts, both on and off the track and field. By winning clean, competing joyfully and being a united national team, TeamKenya represented our uniting values and enabled the world to witness them in action. With six Gold, six Silver and a Bronze medal, no one can dispute Kenya’s position as a global athletic superpower. We are all very proud of every member of TeamKenya in Rio. We salute your achievement. We are grateful to those who won medals, joining the illustrious ranks of gallant patriots and global standard-setters."
President Kenyatta acknowledged the remarkable feat attained by the team and reiterated the government will honour its' promise of rewarding all the medalists. " We appreciate the hard work, commitment, discipline and focus required to qualify for competition at the global elite level. Kenyan youth are not short of worthy role models as long as they watch our Olympians apply their ethics and values in transforming their lives. With you, we celebrate the rewards of living by the rules and doing your best."
