Safaricom rewards Olympic medallists

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Safaricom has honoured the London Olympics and Paralympics medallists with cash rewards totalling Kshs. 16.9 million.

The Olympics contingent, which brought home two gold, four silver and five bronze medals, took home a collective sum of Kshs. 9.4 million while the Paralympics team with four gold, one silver and two bronze medals was awarded Kshs. 7.5 million.

The big winners of the day were double Paralympics silver medallist David Korir, who got Kshs.2.4 million for lowering world records in the 1,500 m and 800 m T 12 categories and 1500 metres,T46 world record holder and 800 metres,T46 bronze medallist Abraham Tarbei who walked away with a cheque for Kshs. 2.3 million.

David Rudisha, Samuel Mushai and his guide, James Boit got Kshs. 2 million each for setting new world records in their events while Mary Nakhumincha was awarded Kshs.1 million for bagging the coveted Dr. Whang Youn Dai Award for exemplifying the best spirit of the Paralympic Games. 

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore said that awards are a token of appreciation for the time that the athletes have committed in training and sacrifice so as to make the country proud.

“I think it is time we all got together to find out how we can take our sportsmen to the next level. We need to work together with athletics bodies, with government to invest in facilities and programmes that help us develop strength in a wide range of athletics events such as sprints and short distance running,” said Collymore.