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President William Ruto has asked the Immigration Department to issue diplomatic passports to sportsmen and sportswomen.
Speaking when he received world record breaker Faith Kipyegon at State House, Ruto said the athletes who excel should also be given other national honors.
“We are going to ensure that as a government, these great Kenyan ambassadors who do sometimes more than what I can do as President get the place of pride and move around the world with ease,” he said.
The Head of State also said his administration has launched a master plan for sports infrastructure, and that will happen in Stadia and training facilities to ensure the country has the necessary infrastructure to support culture and sports.
“We will ensure our athletes and artists have the best in terms of infrastructure and enable them to thrive.”
Ruto added he had instructed the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Arts that they move away from crowding the Sports Fund with other requirements.
He asked that it be dedicated solely to matters of sports, arts, and the creative economy.
“I have also asked the ministry that the government should review the reward scheme so that we can recognise and reward appropriately the men and women who attain excellence in sports, arts, and creative economy,” Ruto said.
“And going forward we have decided as the government that any Kenyan who participates in a world event and breaks a world record, unlike in the past, when there was no recognition, going forward, for every world record broken by a Kenyan, the government of Kenya is going to award five million shillings.” BY THE STAR