Moscow, Russia: Russia is positioning itself to import Kenya’s top athletes. The move is targeted at raising their athletics profile at major global competitions. The country is wooing Kenyan athletes to acquire Russian passports for huge amounts of money.
According to The Metro, a Russian newspaper, the Russians are planning to ‘buy’ Kenya’s best athletic talents as they did in football. But Paul Kurgat, the Kenyan ambassador to Russia, said he had not received official communication from the Russian government yet.
“The games promise high level talent here and the idea appeared in the Metro newspaper here. It will serve as an opportunity for Kenyan coaches to showcase their training skills and having Russians training will boost trade, especially for the Kenyan team,” said Kurgat.
“The Russians are interested in the programme to have Kenyans in their stable since they have been left out of the world athletics map for long,” said Kurgat.
Kenya and the Russian Federation enjoy warm and cordial relations following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Diplomatic Training Institutes of the Ministry’s of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.
The MoU signed on November 16, 2010, established a framework for collaboration in the training of diplomats from both countries. “They are going into that direction, just as they brought footballers from Nigeria, Cameroon and other nations. We will ensure we have good exchange programme and even request them to build sporting facilities, we will include in our negotiation,” he said.
Philip Githiora, the minister counselor at the Kenyan embassy in Moscow said trade between Kenya and Russia is yet to realise its full potential. Main products imported from Russia include fertiliser, oil, iron and steel products. Other imports are paper and paperboard, zinc and rubber products.
Kenya’s main export to the country include tea, coffee, and flowers. These are exported to Russia via third countries such as the Netherlands.
Direct flights
Mr Githiora said Kenya ought to boost trade and bilateral ties between the two countries. “Establishment of direct flights between Kenya and Russia will facilitate movement of people, goods and services and attract more tourists from Russia who are reputed to be big spenders,” he said.
“Russia is home to a large number of billionaires who could be targeted for exclusive tour packages.”
Russia is a major consumer of Kenyan tea and coffee. Kenya has also hosted several World tea and coffee festivals in Moscow.
The growth in consumption of herbal tea has doubled during the last three years in Russia — an area that needs to be exploited through value addition.
By Jonathan Komen, The Standard
