Athletes to benefit from StanChart Sh15m’s KipKeino Foundation kitty
Barry Silah @obel_barry
KipKeino Foundation and Standard Chartered Bank have unveiled a Sh15 million partnership to cater for athletes welfare for the next one year.
The bank will liaise with Athletics Kenya to identify vulnerable 500 athletes across seven counties in the country to benefit from the initiative.
The programme will involve provision of food to athletes and training on financial management and retirement plans.
Speaking during yesterday’s official ceremony at Nairobi’s Karura Forest, legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino said the funding will be a major boost for athletes who have suffered heavily due to Covid-19 lockdowns.
“We are very grateful for this gesture from StanChart and it will go a long way in helping our youth.,” said Keino who is the patron of the benefactor organisation.
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AK President Jackson Tuwei said only deserving and vulnerable athletes will benefit. He urged for athletes to participate in financial training to help them in the future with their earnings.
“First of all I am happy that the counties have been identified. We will look at the categorisation of athletes in the senior and junior levels and assess their needs.
Since we already have structures from the national level to counties then we anticipate this exercise will be smooth,” stated Tuwei who confirmed that Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Kisii, Kericho, Narok, Kajiado and Embu counties will be the beneficiaries of the cash donation.
“We will liaise with our officials and members and also involve StanChart so that it is transparent
Standard Chartered Bank CEO Kariuki Ngari who presented the cheque to both Keino and Tuwei praised the partnership as historic.
“This is an important day and indeed we are excited with the project. We want to be able to provide food to athletes due to the challenges of coronavirus and provide them financial training,” said Ngari.
