3 Kenyan gold medalists at Perth stand to earn nearly $10,000 each

Kenyan 1,000-shilling note is worth $9.62.

Kenya won 10 medals at Perth, and now it looks as if they’re worth real money. According to Nairobi-based Mediamax Network, the mostly distance-runner group will be “considered in the government reward scheme that awards Kenyan achievers in international and continental championships.” That means world M40 half-marathon champion Francis Komu, M50 10K winner Paul Kibet Yego and M45 10K victor Joshua Kipchumba are in line for 1 million Kenyan shillings each. That’s $9,620 in U.S. dollars. Silver and bronze winners would get $7,215 and $4,810. Such a deal. I just hope they make a currency exchange or buy something fast. Kenyan inflation is above 6 percent a year.

Ministry of Sports Director of Administration Haron Komen (left) receives flag from Kenya’s team in Perth. Photo by David Ndolo.

Here’s the original story, in case the link goes buh-bye:

The government will reward the victorious Kenyans team of veteran athletes that participated in the World Masters Athletics Championship in Australia.

Ministry of Sports Director for Administration Haron Komen said the medallists will be considered in the government reward scheme that awards Kenyan achievers in international and continental championships.

According to the reward scheme gold medallists are awarded Sh1million, Sh750,000 for silver, Sh500,000 for bronze and Sh5 million for team that wins a world championship. At the World Masters Athletics Championship in Australia, Kenya amassed 10 medals; three gold, four silver and three bronze.

Kenya was the top-placed African country but in position 18 overall out of 180 nations that participated in the championship that took place from October 26 to November 6 in Perth.

Masters Athletics Championship are designed for retired athletes from the age of 35 onwards for women and 40 years for men. Kenya captained by the Ndakaini Half Marathon Masters champion Francis Komu who won gold in the men’s 21km race.

Other gold medallists were Paul Kibet Yego (10,000m, M45) and Joshua Kipchumba (10,000m,M45). Silver medals were won by John Birgen (Half Marathon, M40), Stephen Kamande (Half Marathon, M60), John Sang (Half Marathon, M45) and Stephen Kihara (M50).

Joshua Pondo (Shot put, M55), Philip Metto (Half Marathon, M40) and Joseph Some Koskei (10,000m, M60) brought home bronze.

The team was led by the 1987 Nairobi All Africa Games 400m hurdles silver medallist Rose Tata Muya and coached by Kenya’s national shot putt record holder Elizabeth Olaba.

The team returned the national flag to the government, and it was received by Komen at the Ministry of Sports headquarters in Nairobi.

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January 18, 2017

2 Responses

  1. Derek Royce Gaskin - January 19, 2017

    Nice. I wish US could start a policy like this for our masters. (granted I’d be pretty far out of the running for cash).
    But putting a cash incentive out there would be pretty cool.

  2. Derek Royce Gaskin - January 19, 2017

    6 percent inflation per year, they better print some more money fast!

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