The presidency comes with a lot of pressure, duties and tours. The job calls for devotion and sacrifice, despite the top leaders being surrounded by staff who ease their work.
President's lifestyles change once they assume power and most if not all of them forego certain habits and hobbies either due to work necessities, security or need to protect their privacy.
TeamKenya looks at some of the Presidents who either were professionals in sports or enjoyed playing some games as hobbies.
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Mwai Kibaki (Kenya)
Kenya’s third president Mwai Kibaki's love for golf was cut short after he was involved in a road accident prior to the 2002 General Election.
The accident affected his gait and he was taken through therapy during recovery. This made it practically impossible for him to tee off and take the long walks synonymous with golf.
One of his caddies known as Joshua, in a past interview, noted that Kibaki used to play nine holes every day and that the former President had a habit of using new balls every time he played the sport.
In 2018 he was inducted into the Kenya Open Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport and for the fact that he was a former patron of the Kenya Golf Union.
Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya)
Kenya’s fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta is known to have been a rugby player during his school days.
Reports indicate that Uhuru used to play as winger and was a fast player who relied on his speed to dodge opponents.
Uhuru was also said to have loved training and set standards for the team during the sessions.
President George Weah (Liberia)
The incumbent Liberian President is considered one of the greatest footballers in the world.
Weah joined French side Monaco in 1988 after the then Monaco head coach Arsene Wenger scouted him playing for Cameroonian side Tonnerre Yaounde.
He was successful in his football career and won prestigious awards such as the Ballon d’Or in 1995 and also FIFA World Player of The Year in 1996.
Weah played for other European clubs PSG, AC Milan, Chelsea, Monaco, Fulham, Celtic, Rangers and Manchester City.
Yoweri Museveni (Uganda)
During a past interview, Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni noted that in his early days he was a good sportsperson.
Museveni noted that he was skilled at both football and cricket even though records to ascertain the same are hard to trace.
The longest-serving Ugandan President added that he abandoned sports to liberate his country.
“I used to be a footballer and played cricket as well, and at that time, I doubt if someone from Ntugamo knew how to play the game.
“I stopped playing sports in 1966 because, at that time, our country was struggling politically. I focused more on the struggles of our politics than sports.
“I forgot about football and cricket, but if there is no virus, I can go back to some sports,” Museveni noted.
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