8 December 2011
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is positioning Kenyan athletes as tourism ambassadors in appreciation of Kenya’s unmatched talent on the tracks.
Speaking during an award ceremony for Asbel Kiprop Wednesday evening, Assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando praised Kenyan athletes for having put the country on a pedestal.
He said Kenya’s National Anthem is now one of the familiar tunes played to awestruck audiences across all corners of the globe during international competitions due to the athletic prowess of our runners.
“Realising that we have barely scratched the surface, and aware that our diverse sports potential needs nurturing and grooming to spur even greater success, we must create synergy and use sports to promote peace, tourism and national pride,” said the Mukurweini MP at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi where Kiprop was awarded a gold medal in the 1,500 metres at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
He was decorated after the initial winner, Bahrain’s Rashid Ramzi was disqualified after failing a dope test.
“The National Olympic Committee (NOC), Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) and Brand Kenya Board (BKB) should work together, to focus on the London Olympics in August 2012, by connecting sports achievers with tourism to market Kenya,” said Mr Kabando.
In his speech, Mr Kabando enumerated Kiprop’s feats and likened them to tourist attractions around the country.
“We want the world to know that when Asbel Kiprop wins Gold, the talent is from a Kenya whose clean sandy beaches shine by day and shimmer by night.
“We want the world to know that when Asbel Kiprop overcomes other deceptive competitors, the unique prowess is related to the big eye that is the Longonot Crater that stares to the heavens.”
“We want the world to know that when Asbel Kiprop passes doping test, his authenticity is from the spectacular pilgrimage of the wildebeest across Maasai country,” said a poetic Kabando.
“We want the world to know that when Asbel Kiprop relives a genuine sparkles, the genetics are from the striking richness of colour and variety of birds of Kakamega forest.”
AllAfrica – All the Time