Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) holds a dummy cheque of Kshs 13 million as East Africa Breweries Limited Group Managing Director Gerrard Mahinda signs it. Harambee Stars players stand in the background to witness the deal signed at Moi Sports Center Kasarani. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO/NATION MEDIA GROUP
Each of the 18 Harambee Stars players will receive Sh1 million should the national team qualify for next year’s World Cup, courtesy of East African Breweries.
EABL group managing director Gerald Mahinda also promised each player Sh100,000 as a bonus for every victory in the team’s five remaining qualifying matches.
“For EABL and Tusker, this initiative is very much in line with our policy to support sports, something we have consistently done for many decades,” Mahinda said.
Unveiling the reward scheme on Monday at Kasarani, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said it would go a long way in ensuring the Stars make it to South Africa.
“This is great motivation for the players and I believe it is a highway to the World Cup,” Raila observed.
The Premier urged the team to put behind them their 2-1 loss to Tunisia and focus on the remaining matches, saying the group is still wide open.
“Those saying we are out of the World Cup contention are grossly mistaken; we can still make it there. All we need to do is win all of our remaining matches,” he said.
Discipline paramount
Raila added that even Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
The PM was categorical that clubs should have respect for the national team, asking them to be releasing called-up players on time.
“Discipline is paramount, and clubs must ensure that they offer support to the national team at all times. These squabbles must end for our football to go forward,” he said.
Harambee Stars play Nigeria in Abuja on June 7th before hosting Mozambique on June 20th.
“We are ready for the challenge and we have the ability just like any other team,” said Stars stand-in captain Boniface Ambani.
Click on the links below for more news;
Mathare feeling the heat
Nairobi Football Academy land Italy invite
Tusker lead as Sofapaka stay close
Munro resigns as KPL chairman
Wanga set to move to Armenia
No comments:
Post a Comment