Ferdinand Omanyala treated to three-day Christmas holiday retreat

ATHLETICS Ferdinand Omanyala treated to three-day Christmas holiday retreat

Abigael Wafula 11:04 - 25.12.2023

Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala has been awarded a sponsored three-day trip to the Maasai Mara National Reserve courtesy of his 2023 stellar performance.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has been treated to a three-day holiday at the Maasai Mara National Reserve by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).

The Commonwealth Games 100m champion will spend his Christmas holiday off the track as he rejuvenates after a tough training season and looks forward to the Olympic Games next year.

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Speaking about the holiday extended to Omanyala, KTB CEO John Chirchir congratulated and thanked Omanyala for his global exploits which have placed Kenya on the world map in the field of sprints.

“Ferdinand Omanyala is one of several Kenyan athletes who have been remarkably successful in the track and field arena while at the same time flying the Kenyan flag high.

"From being Africa’s fastest man in the 100m race to winning Kenya's first gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games besides registering wins in other competitions, there’s a lot to celebrate, and we hope his holiday will be an opportunity for him to unwind and even plan for further success,” Chirchir stated.

He emphasized that the board would continue to leverage sports to market Kenya’s position as a preferred tourism destination.

He noted that the holiday gesture is the board’s way of rewarding sports stars and amplifying the country’s destination appeal generated by their athletic achievements.

The KTB boss added that a jam-packed sporting calendar provides an opportunity for the country to market itself to a global audience.

“Next year, there will be several sporting activities with the Paris Olympics slated for July 2024 standing out as one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar.

"We want to leverage on this and rally behind our athletes to ensure that they give their best as they are great ambassadors of our country, projecting Kenya’s brand in the eyes of millions of people around the world," he added.

Other sporting events in the first quarter of the 2024 calendar include the Magical Kenya Ladies Open to be held in Vipingo in early February and the Magical Kenya Open, part of the DP tour to be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club in March 2024.

Previously, KTB has engaged influential sports personalities, including double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, to propel the country's tourism efforts both locally and internationally.

KTB has also been extending special holiday treats to outstanding athletes in various sporting fields and will continue to extend this exposure as part of exposing them to the varied tourism experiences Kenya has to offer. Kenyan athletes have over the years carried the country flag high across many global sporting events.