This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 14, 2020, the Kenyan government's Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund announced a Sh30 million allocation to support vulnerable sportspeople affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, the funds will be directly channeled to the vulnerable group of athletes to help them remain afloat during this challenging period.
"We met with the Sports Fund and they have decided to provide an additional Sh30 million, which our Ministry intends to directly channel to sportsmen and women who are in distress," Amina said.
The additional funds come as a welcome relief to sportspeople, who have seen their match appearance fees, bonuses, and winnings disappear due to the cancellation of sports events.
However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, with World Athletics publishing a new calendar of events that includes the Diamond League and Continental Tour meets, set to take place in August.
Kenya's leg of the Continental Gold Tour has also been retained and will now be held on September 26, offering local athletes an opportunity to compete for a prize money purse of over Sh21 million.
"We are very happy that we have retained the Continental Gold Tour event, which has also been given a new date. We worked hard on it last year in Monte Carlo to ensure we have it," the CS noted.
