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{
    "id": 586920,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/586920/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 327,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen Lesuuda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13122,
        "legal_name": "Naisula Lesuuda",
        "slug": "naisula-lesuuda"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to also add my voice on this very important Motion that has been brought before this House by Sen. Melly. He comes from an area which has continued to produce people who have made this country very proud. I also congratulate him for being the Chairman of the Senate Sports Team. It is never too late to pass our congratulations, but it is also a time for us to reflect on what needs to be done better. We need to add address some of the issues that have been raised by my colleagues that surround sports in general and also athletics since it is the matter that we are discussing this afternoon. I think Sen. Ong’era read my mind, because I also wanted to name them. It is a nice feeling to hear your name being called out for doing exemplary work. The same way they carry our flag very high when they are out there, they should also be remembered and celebrated even at an individual level once they are back home. Many of us may not really know the work that these athletes do behind the scenes. We only see them when they finally run and win in their respective races. We must acknowledge that they put in a lot of effort, sacrifice and resilience. They do not win everytime. Sometimes they run and lose, but their resilience and sacrifice to continue trying until they win is something that we must celebrate. We must acknowledge the efforts that these athletes put into the work they do. As my colleagues have said, for most of them athletics is their career. Most of us are trained in different professions, but there is always something that we can fall back to. But we should remember that most of our athletes and sportsmen and women, because of the dedication and sacrifice they put into sports, might not be able to advance their education. Therefore, they may not have a fall back plan. Therefore, I agree with my colleagues who have said that as a country, we should cushion and allow them to enjoy the benefits of their career. We know that one’s career in sports and athletics can be quite short, because of the energy levels. Therefore, when they are at their peak, it is important for us as a country to think how we can waive the taxes on the money they get when they run out of the country. We should also remember that sometimes they participate in sports events which do not have monetary appreciation or value. They only run because they want to represent our country and fly our flag high. Therefore, I agree with my colleagues that we have to think of how to cushion our sportsmen and women out there. I agree with the Senator for Migori County on the issue of remembering young people out there who may not have the privilege of going through formal schooling. The places where we can nurture these talents are in our learning institutions. I know this because I was a student in Iten, ‘the home of champions’. I went to Sing’ore Girls Secondary School which produced so many athletes. Those athletes have continued to make this country proud; for example, Janeth Chepkosgei and many others, who I studied with. Our neighbouring school, St. Patrick Iten, where Sen. Murkomen studied, also nurtured a number of athletes. There was always the aspect of schools nurturing and giving students an opportunity to train. Sometimes students would miss classes because they were participating in sports. We must encourage our learning institutions to create time for extracurricular activities. They should support students who show interest in sports and excel in other disciplines. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}