Kenya’s Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund Board has plans to meet on Tuesday to deliberate on proposals put forward by the Ministry of Sports to help cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s sportsmen.
A fortnight ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that Sh100mn from the fund will be made available for artistes and musicians, with no share announced for sports.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed says there now looks to be light at the end of the tunnel for athletes in the country.
With all sporting events being postponed or cancelled, sportsmen have been left reeling on the financial effects and those who entirely depend on sports for a livelihood have borne the biggest brunt with difficulty to provide for their families.
“The money will go to the most needy and we have listed 1500 who are verified and are clear needy cases. This is also coordinated by the National Covid-19 Fund and we are constantly in touch with them and working on something for the sportsmen,” Amina Mohammed stated.
“We have approached several corporates and they have promised to come through. We will make sure something is given to the vulnerable group every month because we don’t know for how long this will go on.”
She added; “… we want them to feel supported by the society because they always fly the country’s flag high and represent us well to the rest of the world.”