Ruto Unveils Record KSh600M Cash Rewards to Inspire Harambee Stars’ CHAN 2024 Title Quest
Ruto called on Kenyans to come out and support the national team during the tournament, burying political parties to show unwavering support for the players
The 2024 CHAN championship starts today in Dar es Salaam and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
President William Ruto has offered unmatched financial incentives for the national team Harambee Stars as they prepare to feature in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The President pledged a staggering KSh600 million reward if the team captures the championship title.
Addressing a breakfast session with the players and coaches at Pullman Hotel in Nairobi, President Ruto provided a graduated reward system that was meant to encourage the team during the one-month tournament. The rewards are KSh60 million for making it to the quarter-finals, KSh70 million for advancement to the semi-finals, and KSh90 million for making it to the finals. Furthermore, the players will get KSh1 million for each victory per match and KSh500,000 for each draw.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a revolution in Kenyan football. We’ve enhanced the incentives multiple times to ensure that every player gives their best on the pitch,” Ruto said at the Saturday event, a day before Kenya’s first game against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The 2024 CHAN championship starts today in Dar es Salaam and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. With Kenya hosting the championship for the first time, President Ruto stressed the historic opportunity for Harambee Stars to create history on home soil.
This is not just a record as Kenya is hosting CHAN for the first time, but we are also able to lift the trophy for the first time in our country’s football history,” he said.
Ruto also called on Kenyans to support the national team during the tournament, setting aside political differences to make a full commitment of support to the players.
For this month, let Harambee Stars be your political party. Our collective slogan should be: Stars Must Win,” he said, urging fans to turn out in full force.
The enhanced cash prizes are a record outlay on Kenyan football, indicating that the government is serious about raising the country’s profile on the continent. The Harambee Stars will now go into the tournament with renewed determination and patriotic pride, with millions of supporters waiting anxiously to possibly witness a historic victory. President William Ruto unveiled unprecedented financial incentives for the national football team of the country, Harambee Stars, before their appearance in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The President of the country provided a staggering KSh600 million as prize money if the team won the tournament.
Speaking during a breakfast sit-down session with the players and coaching staff at Pullman Hotel Nairobi, President Ruto announced a tiered incentive scheme with the aim of motivating the team during the one-month tournament. The incentives include KSh60 million for quarter-finals qualification, KSh70 million for semi-finals qualification, and KSh90 million for finals qualification. Additionally, every player will receive KSh1 million per match win and KSh500,000 per draw.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a moment of history for Kenyan football. We have significantly increased the incentives so that all the players can play with all they have on the field,” Ruto stated during the Saturday meeting, a day prior to Kenya’s opening game against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The 2024 CHAN tournament starts today in Dar es Salaam and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Since this is the first time Kenya is hosting the tournament, President Ruto highlighted the historic chance for Harambee Stars to create history on home soil.
This is not just historical in that Kenya is hosting CHAN for the first time, but we also have a chance to lift the trophy for the first time in the football history of our nation,” he said.
Ruto also called on Kenyans to come out and support the national team during the tournament, burying political parties to show unwavering support for the players.
For this month, let every Kenyan take Harambee Stars as his or her political party. Our motto must be one in one: Stars Must Win,” he urged, summoning supporters to mobilize in a full voice.”.
The cash incentives are a record in terms of investment in Kenyan football as a sign of government commitment to elevating the nation’s profile in continental football. The Harambee Stars will enter the tournament this time with an increased sense of resolve and patriotism, with millions of fans waiting with bated breath to possibly see a revolutionary win.
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