The cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts, Ababu Namwamba disclosed on Saturday, November 12, that the government will honour the late Wilson Kiprugut by constructing a stadium in Kericho County.
The late Kiprugut passed away on Tuesday, November 1, after a long illness - he died at the age of 84.
Namwamba, who spoke during Chumo's burial ceremony which was held at the Kipsigis Girls High School grounds, requested the local leaders to provide a piece of land where the stadium would be built.
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“There is absolutely no reason why we bury Wilson Chumo Kiprugut and he goes down today in his final resting place without a single national award.
“I am ready, show me the land and we built a stadium that will be called Wilson Chumo Kiprugut Memorial Stadium. The governor, the ball is in your court.
“The work that has been done at Kericho Green Stadium is a shame. The work that has been done at Kapkatet grounds is a shame. The people of Kericho and the people of Kenya deserve better,” he stated.
Kiprugut won Kenya’s maiden Olympic medal at the 1964 Olympic Games which was staged in Japan’s capital City, Tokyo.
Four years later, the man who Namwamba described as the “John the Baptist of Athletics” clinched a silver medal at the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico to start Kenya’s dominance in the sport.
Apart from Namwamba, other high prominent figures who attended the funeral include Athletic’s Kenya (AK) Vice President Paul Mutwii, AK youth director Barnaba Korir and Kericho County Governor Eric Mutai.
800m world record holder David Lekuta Rudisha and 1968 Olympic Games 1.500, gold medalist Kipchoge Keino were also in attendance.