Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi met with Kenyan skating ace Kelvin Kiarie at his Talanta Plaza office today.
Mwangi noted that they will be supporting all kind of sports in the country following Kiarie’s exploits in skating by Kenyans to take part emerging sports and register as sportsmen and women with the Sports Registrar’s office as part of enhancing their professional development.
The PS congratulated the Kiarie, who become the first Kenyan by winning in international skating competition in Benin where he bagged gold and silver medals. He would later win two gold medals at the Africa Skate Games in Egypt
“It is important for young sportsmen and women to register with federations as well as sports registrar to have them recognized as distinct athletes in specific disciplines. This will accord them identity and credibility especially when the federations are wrangling or are non-compliant,” said Mwangi.
Mwangi said the government, through the National Awarding Scheme, has honoured and awarded Kiarie for his wins in all his international competitions.
Kiarie has his intention to travel to China for a two-week training camp before heading to Paraguay. The government has committed to facilitate him as he heads to the global stage to represent Kenya. The PS reiterated the importance of athletes and teams representing Kenya in continental and global championships to present to the Ministry a comprehensive calendar of events to allow for facilitation and structured support throughout budgetary considerations He added that the government was wholly committed to ensuring that athletes are appreciated and their welfare safeguarded as they worked to transform Kenya into a global sporting powerhouse