Athletics who participated and won various prices during the Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) second edition of the Meru University Mt Kenya Mountain Run have a reason to smile after the government promised to reward them with cash prizes.
The move is meant to raise funds for the needy children in the community, create cancer awareness and conserve the forest.
The Mountain run was held at Marimba Campus in South Imenti constituency, Meru County amid pomp and colour with fans, officials and competitors, where athletes competed in different categories including the Elite 8kms composed of the top notch cream, Senior, Corporate,and Masters with winners walking away with various prizes.
Principal Secretaries Elijah Mwangi (Sports), Patrick Kilemi (Cooperatives), Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry), South Imenti MP Shadrack Mwiti, Head of Protocol in the office of the Deputy President Gedion Kimathi and Meru University Vice Chancellor Prof Romanus Odhiambu were among dignitaries who graced the occasion at the foot of Mt. Kenya.
Prof. Odhiambo said an endowment fund was established last year to cater for the many cases of needy learners who risked dropping out of school due to financial constraints.
”The community had many cases of needy learners who could drop out of school due to lack of fees. As an institution, we were concerned about the rising numbers of children from the humble background. We felt challenged to find a way of assisting them. That is how we inevitably ended up launching the endowment funds to cater for the needy children,” said the VC.
Prof. Odhiambo said the funds will be used to establish a Cancer Research Center after it emerged that Meru County was among the the top two ranked counties with the high rate of cancer infections noting the research is meant to confirm if the devolved unit is among those leading in cancer infections.
“Meru County is among the top in cancer infections. We want to do research and confirm. If it is found to be true, the funds will be used to establish a Cancer Research Center to cater for the victims,” said the VC.
He lauded President William Ruto for the 15 billion tree planting initiative to conserve the forest and promised to fully support the project by participating in the ongoing exercise.
PS Mwangi challenged universities to start investing in sports since the student will run and be taught about the sports.
PS Mwangi said Ruto is committed in empowering the youth economically and urged them to embrace sports talent in a bid to create wealth and a decent lifestyle.
”Those who break the record or win trophies are handsomely rewarded. Let us support learners who want to participate in sports because it earns a lot of money. If you choose sports as a career you can still pursue other courses. President Ruto is committed in supporting sports owing to the many to the rewards and facilities he has started,” said the Sports PS.
He cautioned athletes against engaging in doping insisting the government wants the competitors to win fairly and clean.
