Safaricom announces reward kitty for Paralympics team

MOBILE

Following its incentives for Kenya’s Olympics team members, Safaricom has also announced  a cash jackpot for a podium finish in this year’s Paralympics games, which kick off in London on the 29th of August.

At a luncheon hosted at the Michael Joseph Centre and graced bythe Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Safaricom confirmed that it will award Kshs. 1 million for gold medalists, Kshs. 600,000 for silver medalists and Kshs.300, 000 for bronze medal winners. 

This is the third time the Kenyan team is taking part, following its debut in the 2004 Athens Paralympics. Kenya will be represented by 14 athletes and 7 guides who will include world celebrated and triple world record holder Henry Wanyoike, who will be going for glory in the 10,000 metres and marathon events.

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore said that the award scheme was intended to motivate great performance at the London event. “Today we meet yet again to celebrate the men and women who invest a substantial amount of their time and energy, training in their respective athletic disciplines to bring pride to the country,” he added.

The Vice President and patron of the Kenya Paralympics Association, Kalonzo Musyoka, called for more recognition for the Paralympians whom he felt have been overshadowed by the main Olympics team.

He said in his address to the team: “As you board that flight to London; you are going not just as individuals but as representatives of this country. Remember that the aspirations and dreams of many Kenyan men and women rest with you. Therefore, as you get onto that track or that field, though you may not see us or hear us, I can assure we will be cheering you on as you fly the Kenyan flag high.”