The lessons from Botswana, shame in how Kenya treats her athletes

Despite putting up a spirited performance characterised by rare sporting adeptness, the Kenyan athletes flew back to a rather cold reception - some, jetting in at night only to be stranded at the airport as they scrambled to book digital taxis to their various destinations.

As the last batch arrived, Citizen TV covered the ignoble mess that unfurled - they were huddled together at the airport's lobby, looking lost and befuddled, as the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Kipchumba Murkomen appeared to have lost his navigation there.

The athletic stars' arrival was overshadowed by that of other athletes around the world and especially by that of Botswana's Letsile Tebogo who landed to a riotous welcome from tens of thousands of exuberant fans crammed at the national stadium.

At JKIA, even though some traditional dancers clad in tribal regalia tried to offer some muted entertainment, the scene was still a rather lacklustre display of deflated egos, injured spirits and dashed hopes.

Earlier, videos circulating online showed Kenyan athletes loitering around the airport's parking lot area immediately after arrival with claims that there was no official bus from the Sports Ministry to transport them, hence settled for online cab services to go home.

In Botswana, the country was doused in a triumphal mood which saw the President offer the Batswana an afternoon off to celebrate Tebogo's stunning victory - it was then followed by a thunderous welcome which saw thousands upon thousands descend upon the country's main stadium to celebrate the nation's first-ever gold medal.

Wearing a conquerer's smile and a sky-blue jumper, Tebogo and the entire 4x100m relay team made an exultant entry as the crowds roared and the clouds sparkled.

As the President watched and the flags fluttered, Tebogo and his team were then ushered onto the red carpet, where they now walked, like global statesmen, acknowledging the salutations from their proud countrymen.

Around the world, the momentous event hit the headlines, from the US to Europe, Asia to Australia.

It was Botswana's not-so-subtle way of appreciating their native talents and giving flowers to their deserved recipients - while they could still smell them.

Soon after they arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where they were eventually received by the Sports Cabinet Secretary, the Kenyan team quickly disappeared into the shadows, maybe after being hurriedly whisked away into sub-par hotels where they would huddle as they waited for the next government communication.

In Eldoret, the charade continued; images of what were supposed to be statues dedicated to the athletes started making rounds online, further decimating the Kenyan pride and denting the athletes' faith in their own people.

Eldoret's statues were not the marvellous craftsmanship characterised by sparkly, silver edges and excellent attention to detail but a deliciously sloppy attempt at art - from top to bottom, they look like the result of a little boy's effort at tinkering with clay and infantile imagination.

So amateurish are the statues that Kenyans wasted no time in registering their displeasure, with reports that the Eldoret city had quickly pulled down the unforgivable eyesores.

As if to arrest an already deteriorating situation, President William Ruto on Thursday hosted the entire team at the Eldoret State Lodge.

The sub-standard treatment of Kenyan athletes, over the past years, has not failed to catch the eye of Kenyans with many even digging up old episodes ( like in 1968) where Kenyans would line up the streets, cheering in awe, to welcome their athletes.

Commenting on the trend, Busia senator Okiya Omtahtah said: "Kenyan athletes truly embody dedication, hard work, and perseverance in their pursuit of excellence."

"They deserve all the recognition and applause for their remarkable achievements at the #Paris2024Olympics. It's unfortunate that there is a LACK of SUBSTANTIAL state support and investment in their talents & endeavors."

"Hopefully, this is a wake-up call to @moyasa_ke, & CS @kipmurkomen to allocate more resources, proper policy & infrastructure to help these incredible athletes reach even greater heights in the future and harness & nurture the next generation of athletes."

Winning a medal is obviously a fantastic feeling, but nothing beats the outpouring of love from the people who you toil so hard, train so hard and endure so much to represent and make proud.

Maybe, if Kenya actually cared, 3000m Steeplechase gold medalist Winfred Yavi, who now represents Bahrain, would have brought the medal home, to Kenya, and not to an adopted Arab nation.

The athletes may be currently basking in the glory of dining with the President and brushing shoulders with power, but that feeling should not merely be a one-day affair - it should be immortalized in their everyday lifestyles.