President William Ruto has asked veteran athletes to mentor younger and upcoming sportsmen.
Speaking during World Marathon Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum's funeral service in Chepkorio on Friday, the president called on the older sportsmen to do more mentorship in the field.
"Athletes like Paul Tergat, you should do more in mentoring the younger ones, so that we can assist them to be successful athletes and successful Kenyans," Ruto said.
The president said such guidance to the younger generation will give them a headstart in their careers.
The Head of State expressed commitment to working with the sportsmen in supporting the upcoming athletes.
"I will work together with parents, coaches and managers to do more to make sure that we mentor the young athletes into great sportsmen," the president said.
"We will do our part as the government of Kenya and I implore everyone else to do their part," he added.
Several athletes attended the funeral ceremony including Paul Tergat, Faith Kipyegon and Kenya's javelin champion Julius Yego.
The president also condoled with Kelvin Kiptum's family as he spoke during the marathoner's funeral.
"Poleni sana, may Kelvin's soul rest in eternal peace," Ruto said.
Kiptum has been eulogised as a young hero who had so much to accomplish in his life.
President Ruto described him as a star, noting that he was an extraordinary sportsman who has left an extraordinary mark on the globe.
The athlete died on February 11 alongside his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident along the Eldoret-Ravine road.
Post-mortem results indicated that Kiptum died due to severe head injuries as a result of the accident.
The 24-year-old athlete died just six days after his record was ratified by the IAAF.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe is among the international guests who attended the funeral ceremony of the World Marathon record holder.
Kiptum was expected to represent Kenya in the 2024 Paris Marathon alongside veteran marathoner Eliud Kipchoge.
President Ruto, in his speech, urged the athletes representing the nation in the upcoming Paris Marathon to 'make Kiptum proud' by bagging medals.
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei regretted that the country will miss Kiptum in the forthcoming games.
"We wish to ask those who will be in Paris to train hard and run tactically as a team and bring the victory back to Kenya in honour of our departed Kelvin Kiptum," he said.
Kelvin Kiptum will be buried at his Naiberi home later today, Friday.
