Athletes in Elgeyo Marakwet have formed a sacco aimed with assisting them in managing their finances and investments. Iten Athletics Sacco comprises athletes and their coaches drawn from North Rift region.
According to the sacco chairman Richard Kanda, the sacco has over 200 members calling for other athletes to join. He termed the move as a game changer that would revitalize investment management among the athletes.
Mary Kaitany a veteran athletes who doubles as the treasurer of the new outfit says many athletes despite podium glory live in poverty due to lack of financial literacy in managing and investing their hard earned fortunes.
She called on both veterans and upcoming athletes to join the sacco assuring the athletes of transparency in the running of the sacco to ensure members benefit from their savings and investments.
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Governor Wisely Rotich lauded the move saying it will provide support to the athletes to fight challenges facing them thus providing good environment for financial and investment prosperity.
The governor singled out gender based violence which he said has led to increased deaths of female athletes and contract management leading to the runners being cheated of their money by unscrupulous managers as challenges facing the athletes.
He remarked “For ages, our athletes-who have since time immemorial placed the Kenyan flag globally and made us proud have fallen prey of swindlers and conmen ending up being duped leading to loss of their hard earned money because they lacked financial literacy and financial vehicle that fits their earning pattern. This has led them to suffer when they retire”.
He added that the SACCO will unite athletes to achieve financial literacy for wise investment, psychosocial support, sensitization on doping and Gender based violence while also achieving quality athletic training, contract management and brand management.
By Philemon Kiprop
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