Some of the Kenyan sports legends who attended Tujiamini launch event. [Photo/Nicholas Sewe]
Sports gaming giant SportPesa is calling on members of the public and stakeholders to rally behind sportsmen and women in Kenya to develop a strong sports culture.
Through “Tujiamini” campaign, launched on October 10, 2017 at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi, SportPesa aims at changing the tides in Kenyan sports, by; inspiring young athletes to aim for the world stage in their disciplines, urging stakeholders to do what they must to improve the sports ecosystem and rallying the public to believe in and support sportsmen whenever they are in the field.
Speaking at the launch event, SportPesa Chief Executive Officer Ronald Karauri said no stone should be left unturned in nurturing talents and ensuring they flourish.
Mr Karauri said sports sector is a significant pillar of the Kenyan society that impacts directly on socio-economic growth
“Kenya has a proud sporting history. Our sporting greats have reached the pinnacle of success shattering world records and giving every citizen a reason to smile during competitions at the world stage. Are we as sports stakeholders doing enough to uphold this legacy?” Mr Karauri said.
The launch event brought together present, past and upcoming sports men and women, who have shot to the limelight by representing Kenya in world stages.
Some of the legends who attended the event are; Kipchoge Keino, Maurice Ochieng, Mickey Weche, Mohamud Abbas, Tobias Ochola, Eliud Kipchoge, among others.
“Tujiamini” campaign seeks to maintain sports development as a national agenda for all stakeholders and leaders in a bid to leverage the potential of strategic Public Private Partnerships to ensure that we grow Kenya’s sports to befit global standards.
Since the turn of the year, SportPesa has recorded notable international participation in sports; the Kenyan All Stars played against an English Premier League side, Hull City, Gor Mahia put on a splendid performance against another Premier League team, Everton FC, Kenya's Under-19 boys' cricket team qualified for the Under-19 World Cup, junior athletes dominated the IAAF World Under-18 Championships on home soil.
The ladies not being left out of the national and international limelight as the Kenya Lionesses 7’s rugby team qualified for the Commonwealth Games and The Harambee Junior Starlets progressing to the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.
More recently, a remarkable achievement that cannot go unnoticed- when indomitable Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, braved draining wet conditions and trounced the competition to win the Berlin Marathon, just a few seconds shy of the world record.
However, stakeholders, sports administrators, partners and the public must work harder and pull together to build on these achievements and milestones.
“We must set the stage for the stars and starlets coming up after the heroes we remember so fondly and vividly like Wangila, Kipchoge, Kadenge, Tergat, Lorupe, Seraphino, Oliech, Waruinge, Bilali, Ndereba, Mulama, Odumbe, Patrick Njiru and Jason Dunford to succeed globally. That is our calling,” said Mr Karauri.
He noted that Kenya has immense untapped potential that if collectively harnessed and fostered, will ensure all sports grow in line with Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts pillars and Kenya’s economic blueprint – Vision 2030.