NAIROBI, Kenya, September 4- President Mwai Kibaki has sent a congratulatory message to the Kenyan team to the just concluded 13th IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, for its exceptional performance.
In his message issued Sunday from State House President Kibaki said the team had done the country proud and stamped Kenya’s authority as a sporting powerhouse both at the continental and global scene.
“I once again take this opportunity to congratulate you for your remarkable performance. I also urge you to keep up with the good work so as to serve as a good example to other upcoming champions,” the Head of State, who flagged off the team three days to their departure for South Korea, said.
He noted that the national team had emerged an impressive number three overall and particularly appreciated the commendable performance of Kenyan female athletes that greatly boosted the team’s overall achievement.
The Head of State emphasized that the impressive performance by the national team was as a result of dedicated practice, hard work and an admirable spirit of teamwork.
Expressing his satisfaction with the team’s exemplary performance, President Kibaki, on behalf of the people of Kenya, saluted the team adding that their hard work had ably enabled them defend the country’s sporting reputation apart from confirming Kenya’s supremacy.
In the country’s best ever performance at the biennial global track and field showpiece, Kenya raked in 7 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals to top their previous top harvest of 5 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze won at the 2007 edition in Osaka.
David Rudisha (men 800m), Asbel Kiprop (men 1500m), Ezekiel Kemboi (3000m steeplechase), Abel Kirui (men marathon), Vivian Cheruiyot (women 5000m and 10000m) and Edna Kiplagat (women marathon) delivered the top medal as Kenya finished third behind USA and Russia.
