Total respect for fast-rising Cheptegei

I have the utmost respect for Joshua Cheptegei. At 21, he has the world at his feet. The middle distance running world that is.
This isn’t so much because he bounced back from being the joke of town in March to being within a few meters of upsetting the great Mo Farah in London earlier this month. His coach says it would not have been an upset.
Apparently Cheptegei’s improvement projection is such that it is only a matter of time before the crown prince takes over the 10,000m kingdom. Not even Mo Farah was making his time at 21.
The ability is uncontested, but like most things in life, sport is a little bit ability, and a whole lot of attitude. And every day we discover how much mental fortitude Cheptegei has.
The other day we learnt that he shooed away some rich Arabs, who wanted his citizenship in return for $500,000 (about Shs1.7b). This happens all the time and usually for much more. Nations who have figured out the image uplifting value of sports are always shopping around for young talent if their own isn’t developing fast enough.

Nomadic hearts
It isn’t strange anymore for Kalenjins to be clutching the place where their nomadic hearts should be as the Qatari national anthem is being belted out at international events. As a matter of fact, the American Chelimo who won bronze is a name more likely to exist on a voters’ register in Bomet than Atlanta. But still let us put Cheptegei’s Shs1.7b offer in context. History teaches us that an elite Ugandan athlete will earn approximately $300,000 (Shs1b) in his entire career; from a medal or two at the Olympics and World Championships, sponsorship and appearance money and a double-cabin pick-up and three-bedroom bungalow from government.
So, what Cheptegei pushed away is 40% more, all before you run another race. Now consider the mounting responsibilities of a 21-year-old and you start to see the magnitude of his decision.
Many say he will regret not selling his labour to the highest bidder and that argument makes economic sense in his circumstances. And the circumstances are that he is now back home to state dinners of promises as empty in value as the speeches and the junk food that is served up.

Unkept promises
In the meantime, he must return to the hills of Kapchorwa and prepare for the next race. And during the rigours of training, it will occur to him that the promise of a modern running track remains unkept. He will also realise that he has been forgotten by all, save the Uganda Revenue Authority.
You know he could have picked the Shs1.7b and stayed training in his high-altitude camp closer to home and familiar food. The only changes would probably be a deep-pocketed green or maroon coloured track-suit at international meets. It could have been the best of both worlds.
Yet he opted to stay and continue to represent a nation that does not return the love. Now that is something I am in awe of. Much respect.

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MBanturaki