tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60835327153699662.post8667013803774298218..comments2023-10-25T17:49:11.371+03:00Comments on SportsKenya: Kenyan Athletics : What is Wrong ?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60835327153699662.post-10278985308964733532008-07-18T16:18:00.000+03:002008-07-18T16:18:00.000+03:00Thanks Anon for your interesting insight. I had no...Thanks Anon for your interesting insight. I had not delved that much into the schools sponsorship deal with Samsung and again I never take the Press too seriously with most issues until I confirm my stories....sensationalism sells !<BR/>From what you've said, you seem quite versed in the athletics industry. <BR/>We have so many vested interests in almost any sport and most officials let alone school administrators always look out for anything extra for their pockets.<BR/>Most don't invest in the future and in for the quick buck. There's also a major disconnect between most sports disciplines and corporates.<BR/>It's time we got level-headed and professionally trained sports officials. That way some of these vested and short-sighted bumps won't make their way into our disciplines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60835327153699662.post-9130308104834269542008-07-18T13:19:00.000+03:002008-07-18T13:19:00.000+03:00I'd like to give my thoughts on the state of Athle...I'd like to give my thoughts on the state of Athletics in Kenya especially on the youths and the high schools issue. I was involved in some initiatives to help high schools get opportunities to develop their talent in the past two years and I must say that I am very demoralised bywhat has happened. The recent "expose" by some dim-witted journalist who didn't get his facts right has made me rethink why I should bother with this noble initiative at all.<BR/>In the past two years I organised a high schools only cross country invitational that brought together all the top schools. It was very successful and the winning boys and girls teams got to win an all expense paid trip to compete against the best US high schools in America. <BR/>It is a tremendous opportunity for anyone especially athletes from a rural school many of whom were coming to Nairobi for the first time ever, let alone board a plane.<BR/>The students had the time of their lives of course and along with getting a slew of Nike products for free!<BR/>However, I must stress that students do NOT get paid any money to compete in high school only events. Especially when their passports, visas, plane tickets, hotel, food and transport to and from their homes are catered for.<BR/>The top two athletes from these two schools were then selected by Samsung to be part of their Dreamtree scholarship programme. This scholarship deal meant that their school fees, uniforms, insurance and any other upkeep would be catered for the year. ALL scholarship monies were paid directly to the schools.<BR/>In return for this, Samsung would use the students for any promotional opportunity.<BR/>But the head teacher of the schools thought they ought to get more...for themselves. And then decided to write to the media to cry about it.<BR/>The end result of all this that I will not bother organising any more high school events that help students get opportunities such as these as my name has been dragged in the mud because of the greed of a few small minded individuals. Samsung will probably not renew the scholarship programme again because of the unfounded negative press.<BR/> So who loses now?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com