DIG Eliud Lagat with NPS Athletics team/HANDOUTThe Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, has congratulated the National Police Service (NPS) athletics team for their outstanding performance at the recently concluded AK/Betika National Cross-Country Championships.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Douglas Kanja, Lagat commended the athletes for their remarkable display of skill and determination, which saw the NPS team dominate the competition.
The officers clinched top positions in both the men’s and women’s 10-kilometre senior races, alongside victories in the 10km individual categories and the 2km loop men’s race.
Lagat lauded the athletes for bringing pride to the service and for upholding the spirit of discipline and excellence that defines the police force.
“Your dedication, teamwork, and sacrifice have not only earned you medals but have also demonstrated the strength and unity of the National Police Service,” he said.
He noted that the Police Service continues to play a leading role in Kenya’s sporting landscape, citing the success of Kenya Police FC and Kenya Police Bullets, who are the reigning football champions.
He further pointed out that police teams in volleyball and kabaddi have also been performing exceptionally well in their respective leagues.
According to Lagat, this dominance is a reflection of the officers’ commitment, discipline, and resilience—virtues that are essential both in sports and in service to the nation.
He encouraged the athletes to continue applying these principles as they represent the country in future competitions.
The DIG extended his appreciation to the NPS Organising Committee and the coaches for their efforts in training and mentoring the athletes, which he said played a crucial role in the team’s success.
He assured the sportsmen and women of the Service’s continued support as they prepare for upcoming international contests.
“I want to assure you that the National Police Service will stand with you as you train for the World Athletics Cross-Country Championship in Tallahassee, Florida, in January 2026. We have every confidence that you will make Kenya proud on the global stage,” Lagat stated.
Present at the meeting were the Chairman of the NPS Athletics Committee, Francis Ndiema (SAIG); Vice-Chair Ramadhan Omar (AIG); and committee members Eunice Dobby (CP), Joseph Chirchir (CP), and Isaac Sang (CP), among others.
The AK/Betika National Cross Country Championship is Kenya’s premier national-level cross-country running event, organized annually by Athletics Kenya (AK) in partnership with Betika, a local sports betting and entertainment company that serves as the title sponsor.
The championship brings together elite athletes from across the country representing various institutions, including the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Prisons, and regional athletics clubs.
It serves as a key event in Kenya’s athletics calendar, often used to select the national team that represents the country at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships and other international competitions.
