{"id":18962,"date":"2012-09-18T10:06:31","date_gmt":"2012-09-18T10:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/sports\/?p=18962"},"modified":"2012-09-18T19:33:25","modified_gmt":"2012-09-18T19:33:25","slug":"18962","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/sports\/2012\/09\/18\/18962\/","title":{"rendered":"Bumper pay day for London heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>NAIROBI, Kenya, September 18- The call to broaden Kenya\u2019s opportunities from distance running was made as communications firm Safaricom paid out Sh17.2m ($204,762) to Kenyan medallists from London Olympics and Paralympics Games on Tuesday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In what amounted to the biggest payout by a firm to Kenyan sporting exponents, David Korir, the silver winner at the Paralympics Games in the 1500 m T 12 and 800 m T 13 races was the biggest beneficiary of the day with Sh2.4m ($28,571) for his medals and going under the world record in the first event.<\/p>\n

Abraham Tarbei who scooped the Paralympics 1500m T46 gold in world record time before adding bronze in the 800m of the same class was next with Sh2.3m ($27,381).<\/p>\n

Olympic champion and men 800m world record holder, David Rudisha and Paralympics gold medallist Samuel Mushai who also set a world record and his guide, James Boit sealing the top three recipients with Sh2m ($23,810) each.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very surprised! I didn\u2019t expect it! I came ready to split the cheque with Mushai,\u201d the stunned Boit said after receiving an equal sum to his runner in what was an unprecedented gesture from the company.<\/p>\n

In total, the Paralympics team with four gold, two silver and two bronze medals was awarded Sh10.3m ($122,619) while their Olympics counterparts who brought home two gold, four silver and five bronze took home Sh6.9m ($82,143).<\/p>\n

Field athlete Mary Nakhumincha was awarded Sh1m ($11,905) for bagging the coveted Dr. Whang Youn Dai Award for exemplifying the best spirit of the Paralympic Games.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Safaricom has done today is the kind of motivation our sportsmen need to go out of their way in training and performing for their nation at major events.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are delighted and this will inspire more of our athletes to work hard and perform for their nation,\u201d Rudisha who captained the Kenyan Olympics team to London stated. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m honoured with what I have received here today and it will go a long way in ensuring that I\u2019m able to prepare for Rio 2016 and more companies should emulate this gesture,\u201d Korir added.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore said that awards are a token of appreciation for the time that the athletes have committed in training and sacrifice so as to make the country proud.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it is time we all got together to find out how we can take our sportsmen to the next level. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to work together with athletics bodies, with government to invest in facilities and programmes that help us develop strength in a wide range of athletics events such as sprints and short distance running,\u201d added Collymore who pledged his firm would taking a leading role in encouraging the growth of sprinting and field sports in Kenya among corporates. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no reason why Kenyans can\u2019t sprint. We rely on the long distance but if you look at their performance at the Olympics, there were a few problems but since then, they have done fantastic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to broaden that and I believe that Kenyans can sprint and what we need is investment. Rudisha started out as a short distance runner,\u201d the CEO stressed.<\/p>\n

The Government and other firms are also in line to reward the top performers from both events in due cause.<\/p>\n

MEDALLISTS TABLE<\/p>\n

Name\t Gold \t Silver \t Bronze \tSport\/Category
\nDavid Rudisha\t 2,000,000 \t \t \t 800 m\t WR
\nEzekiel Kemboi\t 1,000,000 \t \t \t 3,000 m Steeplechase
\nAbel Kirui\t \t 600,000 \t \t Men Marathon
\nVivian Cheruiyot\t \t600,000 \t 300,000 \t Women 5,000m and 10,000m
\nPriscah Jeptoo\t \t 600,000 \t \t Women Marathon
\nSally Kipyego\t \t 600,000 \t \t Women 10,000 m
\nWilson Kipsang\t \t \t 300,000 \t Men Marathon
\nThomas Longosiwa\t \t \t 300,000 \t Men 5,000m
\nTimothy Kitum\t \t \t 300,000 \t Men 800 m
\nAbel Kiprop Mutai\t \t \t 300,000 \t Men 3,000 m Steeplechase\t <\/p>\n

PARALYMPICS
\n Gold \t Silver \t Bronze
\nAbraham Tarbei\t 2,000,000 \t \t 300,000 \t1,500 m T46 category\t WR
\nSamuel Mushai 2,000,000 \t \t \t 1,500 m T 11 category\t WR
\nJames Boit (Guide) 2,000,000 \t \t \t 1,500 m T 11 category\t WR
\nDavid Korir\t 2,400,000 \t \t 1,500 m, T 12, 800 m T 12 WR, 2 Silver
\nHenry Kirwa\t \t \t 600,000 \t 5,000 m\t WR
\nMary Nakuminchia\t 1,000,000 \t \t \tDr Whang Youn Dai Award
\n