President Uhuru Kenyatta while handing over the flag to captains Mercy Moim and Julius Yego
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2 – As the Kenyan teams from the Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco started streaming back to the country, President Uhuru Kenyatta has congratulated them for their outstanding performances that saw Kenya finish seventh in the overall medal table.
The President said he has been closely following exploits by the country’s sports men and women adding that he is particularly impressed by the strong showing by the Kenyan contingent at the Africa Games.
“I have been closely and keenly following performances by our national teams representing the country in the various international sporting events,” the President said.
“I am particularly impressed by the performances by our teams at the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco,” he added.
Kenya managed a total of 31 medals, 11 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze. Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa occupy the top three positions with 270, 126 and 87 medals respectively.
The President was especially pleased by Malkiia Strikers’ hard fought victory over Cameroon in the penultimate day of the competition, saying it was typical of the resilience and the fighting spirit of the Kenyan people.
“We all saw how our volleyball queens put up a spirited fight to win gold last night. They fought hard against a tough Cameroonian team to retain their title as African Champions,” he said.
“Then there was our team captain in Rabat, Julius Yego who not only retained his African Championship by winning gold but also ensured fellow Kenyan Alexander Kiprotich came second,” the President added.
Other notable Kenyan performances at the continental games which end today include a silver medal win by boxer Shaffi Bakari in the 52kg flyweight, the half marathon gold win by Titus Ekiru and a podium sweep by Kenya in men’s 5000m as well as the gold win by George Manangoi in 1500m.
The President also congratulated the Kenyan team which finished second at the World Martial Arts Mastership Tong Il Moo Do in South Korea for a splendid performance.
“Our martial arts team has also done our country proud by emerging second in South Korea. The fact that the team has excelled in a sport that Kenya is not traditionally known for is a demonstration of the huge sporting potential among our youth that the government is keen to tap into,” President Kenyatta said.
The martial arts team finished second after amassing a total of nine medals consisting of two gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
