New law seeks to reward athletes with Sh6 million, diplomatic passports
President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions.
Athletes who perform well in international competitions will be rewarded with up to Sh6 million, among other lucrative benefits, if a new law is passed.
Mwingi West MP Charles Ngusya has tabled a motion requiring the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts to develop a policy and standardised sports reward scheme for recognising the achievements of sports persons in world events.
The law also proposes that world beaters be appointed as goodwill ambassadors, conferred with national honours and issued with diplomatic passports to ease their movements across the world.
If implemented by the government, sportsmen and women will be entitled to financial rewards of Sh6 million for setting new world records, Sh4 million for gold medalists, Sh3 million for silver medalists, and Sh2 million for bronze medalists.
“This House urges that the government, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts, develops a policy and standardized sports reward scheme for recognising the achievements made by sports persons in internationally recognised competitions, through non-financial motivation, including facilitation with issuance of diplomatic passports for established sportsmen and women, appointment as goodwill ambassadors and conferring national honours and privileges,” Mr Ngusya said in the motion.
Mr Ngusya said Sessional Paper No 3 of 2005 contemplated motivation of sportspersons by the State through cash and material prizes, conferring State honours, appointments as goodwill ambassadors and establishing contributory insurance and savings schemes, among other forms of motivation.
He said the prospect of receiving State recognition, financial grants, and other perks will inspire sportsmen to push their limits in attaining their full potential, as well as fostering a collective sense of pride in sporting achievements.
“Now therefore, this House urges that the government, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts to develop financial rewards of Sh6 million for setting new world records, Sh4 million for gold medalists, Sh3 million for silver medalists, and Sh2 million for bronze medalists,” he said.
“Establishing medical cover and a post-retirement social protection scheme, including establishing contributory insurance and savings schemes to support sports persons who retire from active sporting due to injuries or age.”
Mr Ngusya also wants the government to provide non-financial motivation, including facilitation with the issuance of diplomatic passports for established sportsmen and women, appointment as goodwill ambassadors, and conferring them with national honours and privileges.
He said sports play an integral role in promoting cultural heritage, national identity, national development, the well-being of the people and sustenance of livelihoods, particularly of the youth.
The Mwingi West lawmaker said Sessional Paper No 3 of 2005 provides a framework for sports development and operationalisation in the country
He said the Sector Plan for Sports, Culture and Arts – 2018 by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts mainstreamed sports development in the Third Medium Term Plan (MTP III) for 2018-2022.
“Under Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Vision aims at capitalising on the country’s international reputation as a world-class sports powerhouse whose sportsmen and women have won international accolades and recognition, especially for their prowess in athletics,” Mr Ngusya said in his motion tabled before the House for debate.
“Concerned that, despite bringing honour and national pride to the country, most sportsmen and women face a myriad of challenges such as lack of psychosocial support and social protection, hence pushing many to alarming levels of mental health challenges during their careers and even after retirement.”
Mr Ngusya said Sessional Paper No 3 of 2005 contemplated the motivation of sportspersons by the government through cash and material prizes, conferring State honours, appointments as goodwill ambassadors and establishing contributory insurance and savings schemes, among other forms of motivation.
He said the prospect of receiving State recognition, financial grants, and other perks inspires sportsmen to push their limits in attaining their full potential as well as fostering a collective sense of pride in sporting achievements.
