Uasin Gishu County governor Jackson Mandago has called upon athletes to invest wisely their hard earned money in the track

Speaking during the official opening of Oslo petrol station which is owned by veteran athlete Vivian Cheruiyot, the County boss advised athletes who get millions from their talent to invest in ventures that will at the end cushion them after retiring from athletics.

“I call upon all upcoming athletes to invest instead of using the hard earned money for luxury activities putting in mind that athletics is not a life time affair,” Mandago advised.

The governor promised to facilitate athletes who want to invest in the county by creating conducive environment for them

He also challenged the Athletics Kenya (AK) president major Tuwei to use veteran athletes to teach the upcoming athletes on how and the importance of investing for them not to misuse their money.

“Managers and coachers of athletes should also be transformed and avoid siphoning money from athletes,” he said.

Vivian Cheruiyot, a two-time Olympic champion thanked Uasin Gishu government for their unwavering support and urged athletes to invest wisely and avoid being mislead by some few self centered individuals to misuse their property.

At the same time a group of former and current top Kenyan international runners living in Uasin Gishu County have a reason to smile.

This was after Uasin Gishu County Assembly anonymously passed a motion that will exempt them from paying parking fees in Eldoret town as a sign of appreciation for bringing glory to the country.

Eldoret town is home to former and current top athletes among them former World Steeplechase record holder Ezekiel Kemboi Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, Women’s New York city marathon winner Mary Keitany and Berlin marathon women winner Gladys Cherono
among others.

Mandago defended Kenyans athletes against media reports to the effect that they have failed to invest wisely the millions of shilling they win from the races they dominate globally.

“It is not good to generalize all the Kenyan runners that they live from rags to riches and back to rags. Majority of the athletes have invested their money won from various internal races wisely as exemplified by Vivian Cheruiyot,” said Mandago.

Among those who attended the launch include Uasin Gishu senator Prof. Margaret Kamar, Keses MP Kiprop Mishra, Ainabkoi Member of Parliament William Chepkut, AK president major Tuwei, Cheptiret/Kipchamo MCA Gilbert Tenail among other guests.