Tokyo, October 23, 2007: The Japan-bound women’s volleyball team of Kenya has been rewarded and honoured for qualifying for the World Cup by the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki.
President Kibaki presented the team with 1 million Kenyan shillings (US$15,000) for winning the African Cup of Nations in Nairobi recently - a result which put the team among the world’s elite for the World Cup.
“Our sportsmen and women have been very good ambassadors,” he said.
“They have done Kenya proud and that is why the government has decided to introduce cash incentives for medal winners at both the continental and international events.”
He also commended the Kenya Volleyball Federation, led by chairman Waithaka Kioni, for their success in spreading volleyball through primary schools to universities.
Kioni replied: “The volleyball family in Kenya is very grateful to the government for the support the sports ministry has been giving our teams whenever we are faced with assignments. We would like to assure the President that, as a federation, we shall take this sport to greater heights.”
Kioni, a highly respected and long-serving sports administrator, said it was very encouraging to see the head of state reward the team wish cash to boost moralefor the World Cup. This followed the presentation of the Head of State Commendation award to the women’s volleyball team a while ago.
The function was held at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret. Other dignitaries included the sports minister, Maina Kamanda, who was the chief guest at the African women’s championship final, in which Kenya beat Algeria to book a ticket to the World Cup.

From Jack Kwemba, KVF Press Officer

ends