President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses Harambee Stars players and technical officials at State House, Nairobi, when they received sponsorship to attend the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil Friday. Also present is First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi.

NAIROBI, KENYA: For the first time in Kenyan history, the national team Harambee Stars will be at the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals not as participants but spectators, thanks to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s sponsorship.

Kenyatta has fulfilled his promise to the team when he hosted them after clinching the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in December.

A contingent of 21 will depart for Brazil on June 21st and return on June 27th after watching a Group F clash between African champions Nigeria and Argentina on June 25th at the Estadio Beira Rio Porto Alegre, RS.

Speaking during the flight ticket handover ceremony at the State House Friday, Kenyatta assured the national team of the Government continued support and urged the players to be good ambassadors.

“When the team won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, my wife (Margaret) and I pledged to sponsor the team to go Brazil as a mode of encouraging and inspiring them. And today I am fulfilling that promise I made and encourage them to make Kenya proud,” said Kenyatta.

GREAT AMBASSADORS

“I hope this tour will encourage them to do better as they watch standards of the best teams in the world and emulate what they see. We have a great team and as a Government we will continue supporting them to the best of our ability,” he added.

“We are in a process of looking at different modalities to see how we can support this great game of soccer and other sports in the country. In the near future, we will be announcing some initiatives that will support all games.”

“I thank EABL for their contribution of $40,000 to my own to ensure the team travels to Brazil. As much as we are not participating in the event itself, but even while in Brazil they will be great ambassadors.”

Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia goalkeeper Jerim Onyango couldn’t hide his joy, describing the trip as a dream come true.

“We are more than happy. This is a dream come true to all of us. Six months ago, when we met the President, he promised to take us to Brazil and he’s now lived up to his promise. Apart from that we are very grateful for the support the Government has been offering the team and thanks to that we won Cecafa and qualified for the second round of the AFCON qualifiers. We are looking forward to better things,” said Onyango.

Sofapaka midfielder Clifton Miheso was similarly pleased with the Brazil tour.

“It’s going to be a life time experience. I can’t wait to be in Brazil and watch the match live,” said Miheso.

Kenya Breweries Limited corporate relations director Eric Kiniti promised to continue supporting them.”

Apart from the air tickets, the $120,000 donated by the President will cater for hotel bills and match tickets. The team also received an additional $3,300 from Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko.