Malkia Strikers head coach Paul Bitok held talks with National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei to discuss matters affecting sportspersons in the country on October 16, 2022.
According to Bitok, who is fresh from participating with Malkia Strikers at the 2022 FIVB Women’s Championships staged in Poland and Netherlands, they discussed a number of issues including how to honor veteran sportsmen and women.
“Today I had the opportunity to join her excellency Gladys Shollei as we celebrated her new position as the national assembly deputy speaker and women representative of Uasin Gishu County at her home village.
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“We discussed among many issues particularly on how to honor sportsmen after their retirement and issues concerning sportsmen in general.
“Pension for sportsmen who represented our country to the Olympics, world championship, world cup and other national sporting assignments deserve a pension plan,” read a statement from Bitok.
The first Kenyan to play professional volleyball abroad further argued that it is unfair for civil servants to have a pension plan while individuals who dedicate their lives to put Kenya’s image on the global map have none.
He added that the Uasin Gishu Women representative made a pledge to address the issues affecting Kenya’s sporting heroes.
“After deep consultation, Shollei is ready to organize with the members of parliament to bring a sports pension bill on the floor to help solve this problem,” ended the Simat-born legend.
Bitok promised to follow up the matter and ensure Shollei keeps her word to better the lives of hundreds of retired athletes who are languishing in poverty due to lack of government support.
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