Sporting Activities is a Key Pillar of Uasin Gishu socio-economy- Governor Jonathan Bii
Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii now says sporting activities are a key Pillar of Uasin Gishu and North Rift’s socio-economy.
Speaking after leading residents in watching the London Marathon on the County’s big screen Bii said his administration will support sportsmen and women.
“Every morning when you drive across this region you will likely come across a bunch of professional athletes in their morning runs with enthusiastic school-going children giving their best attempts at running steadily behind them. These little angels eventually grow to be world-beaters. My government will fully support them,” said Uasin Gishu governor.
He says Eldoret’s skyline is dotted with multi-storied buildings constructed from proceeds of sports winnings and that millions of dollars have also been invested in other ventures such as farms, schools, and the hospitality industry in this region.
“My government places a high premium on the impact of local races. A number of world-class athletes started their careers here in the streets of Eldoret; Geoffrey Mutai winner of Boston and New York Marathons 2011 with course records was 1st runner-up during the 2008 Kass Marathon.
Mathew Kosirio won 21 Kilometres Kass Marathon before going on to be 3rd in New York Marathon. Moses Kigen , two-time winner of Family Bank Marathon has also gone to be 2nd runner-up in New York Marathon among others,” he added.
He noted that the names have gone further to show that efforts by local sponsors such as Nation Media Group, Standard Chartered Bank, Safaricom, Family Bank, Naivas Supermarkets, Kass Media Group, Coca-Cola, and others never go to waste. We are eternally grateful to you because you support programs that change the lives of people, families, and communities.
“In my immediate and long-term agenda, I seek to have more structured conversations and collaborations so that when Eldoret becomes a city we shall also be hosting an IAAF accredited international race. There is no reason as to why the cradle of world athletics cannot play host to an International standard race within the IAAF calendar,” he said.