Entire team should be rewarded - Kiprotich's coach
Kiprotich tries out weights at Serena Kampala’s Maisha Gym soon after getting a one-year membership yesterday morning. PHOTO BY ISAAC KASAMANI
What you need to know:
Athletics. Kampala Serena, who also offered free accommodation to Kiprotich for two nights since his return, have accorded the athlete a one-year membership at their state-of-the-art Maisha Gym.
The entire week has been, still is, Stephen Kiprotich. And deservingly so. In ending the nation’s 40-year labour pains by winning only their second Olympic gold medal is a master-class in its own by the 23-year-old
And that he was rewarded by President Museveni with Shs200m and promised a house for his parents as token for his feat is very much welcome.
However, while appreciating and applauding all that has come Kiprotich’s way, some wondered why the rest of Team Uganda, who represented the country with the 42.195km marathon winner at the London Games, were not given token of their own on arrival.
“Of course all of us are happy that our golden hero was appreciated by President Museveni and the government the way he was,” admitted Gordon Ahimbisibwe, Team Uganda’s athletics coach in London.
“But we would have loved the rest of the team to also be given something, some percentage of sorts because Kiprotich didn’t go to London alone. The whole team represented although the rest did not win.” Ahimbisibwe added: “Hopefully in future the whole team is given something on top of rewarding medal winners.”
However, the President while hosting the runner on Wednesday said athletes who excel internationally will earn Shslm monthly allowance each on top of being offered employment in government.
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