Cash boost for Ingwe! Ruto donates Sh10m, says AFC players to share Sh5m

President William Ruto on Wednesday handed AFC Leopards Sh10 million, directing that Sh5 million be shared among the players while the remaining Sh5 million be used to recruit new players ahead of the new football season.

Speaking at State House during a meeting with the club's leadership and players, Ruto said the donation was intended to reward the team and strengthen its competitiveness.

"I will give them the Sh10 million. Players will get Sh5 million to sort themselves out and the other Sh5 million they can sign in new players so that these players can get something to go home with," he said.

The President said his administration views sports as a key economic sector capable of creating jobs and empowering young people, rather than simply a recreational activity.

"There is no better investment than the future of the young people of our nation," Ruto said.

"These arrangements are not ceremonial or a diversion from the rest of government work. They form a serious part of government work."

He said countries that treat sports purely as recreation only produce athletes, while those that invest in sports as an industry create employment opportunities and build global influence.

"Countries that treat sports as recreation produce athletes, but countries that treat sports as an industry create jobs and global influence. Kenya has chosen the second path," he said.

"We will not only enjoy sports, but we have chosen the deliberate path that sports will be a serious business. It is the reason why we are hosting AFCON and looking at a future where we can host global events. We don't see sports as recreation but as a platform for youth empowerment."

Ruto also lauded AFC Leopards for its resilience, saying the club had overcome difficult periods in its long history.

"It is fitting that today we celebrate one of the institutions that has helped shape football for six decades," he said.

"On one occasion I was asked to go and raise funds and it was not well organised and we had challenges, but I am happy that you are a very resilient club because institutions are not defined by the absence of adversity but by the ability to recover."

The President praised the club's recent improvement in performance, noting it had climbed the league standings and set its sights on silverware.

"You were number eight and you have moved up, and you have promised to get the cups this season," he said.

Ruto also outlined plans to transform sports infrastructure into economic hubs, saying the upcoming Talanta Sports City stadium would feature commercial facilities alongside football infrastructure.

"Talanta Stadium is a football-only stadium. There is no running track, but behind it we will have many facilities, a gym, commercial spaces that will boost the sports economy," he said.

"We will do this in every stadium around Kenya. It will not just be a place of competition but also have meeting rooms, restaurants, ICT hubs and even studios for young people."

He said investing in sports was part of the government's broader strategy to harness Kenya's youthful population.

"This is about what a nation can do for its young people. We have a huge youth population and it is up to us to determine whether they become an asset or a liability," Ruto said.

"It is what we do that will decide whether they become part of the solution or the problem. That is why spending time creating opportunities for young people is part and parcel of my administration."

The President also pledged government support to help AFC Leopards improve its training facilities after hearing the club's request for assistance.

I have heard what the CS has said in terms of how you want to move forward. The grounds that you are using and that you have a lease for let's look for resources and help with the land," he said.

"The CS will work on it and come up with a small design so that we can help. Since you have a 15-year lease, the CS will help design it for you."