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First and foremost congratulations to our new Kenyan Running Queen – Pamela Jelimo! You have made me personally proud of our heritage as Kenyans as far as running & winning is concerned. The same congrats and thanks to all the guys & gals who held our name up high in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It’s small things like winning gold and hearing your national anthem at the closing ceremony of the Olympics that makes one persevere the bad roads, tricky government and ever rising fuel prices. Kudos.
Now over to the phenomena that is the ‘Koyo Express’ I’m loving how this lady is being treated like the president of Kenya, even by the president himself… her homecoming in Koyo was really one to write home about to the extent that Daily Nation bumped off two pages of mundane sports with headline news, write up and pictures of our reigning Queen! By the way don’t get me wrong – I am all for the sudden fame and pampering… because for sure winning 6 Grand Prix 800m races, hoisting a couple of gold bars and having 68,000,000.00kes in your account is indeed very tiring… even the thought of it is making me sweat.
Isn’t this the point where we encourage the young lady to take up Sports PR, and be the face of Kenya’s sports? I highly doubt she needs to walk down a runway in a sexy bikini as I think the 800M in six countries is audition for me. Or is young Jelimo going to be soon forgotten like the ‘rose phenomena’ that wiped us during the healing of the August 7th bombing? Will we keep showering her with adoration like how we have in the past ’showered’ the Mau Mau freedom fighters, or the David Munyakei’s of this world?
What does this now mean for the Athletics society in Kenya, does the govt now plan to have a long terms concrete strategy in place or process that will ensure there are more Jelimos coming out of every facet of sports in Kenya? If we’ve learned anything from the 2008 Beijing Olympics is that we can represent our country in more than just Athletics if we set our minds to it, in any field ranging from Archery to gymnastics! Are we now going to make sure that more disabled Kenyans are trained and sent to the Paraolympics in London come 2012?
Most of all what are we telling ourselves and especially the future generations? That we will make a fuss about your efforts once you’ve won huge loads of money? Will they have to win a jackpot for them to be recognized? Where were we all when she ran her reportedly first 800 meters race on 19 April 2008 at the Kenyan trials for the African championships – clocking 2:01.02 minutes. Is that when we noted her potential and decided forthwith to support her 100% to the point she is now?
What of identifying & supporting talents in all fields let alone sports? What of having long term policies, plans in place on the ground ensuring that no talent goes unfound…what of encouraging those that are starting out in anything… what of what of…
I do hope that the many chickens & goats that died in Koyo and the tons of rice that was harvested, washed and cooked was not all done in vain…
I was feeling extremely tired and low when I decided to head to Narok along with my birthday girl friend to visit our other pal who was posted there by the Govt of Kenya. Had a totally relaxing and fun weekend. I’m charged till the next holiday in Oct. Otherwise, thanks ladies! I had a blast.
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