Kenyan cricketers get World Cup bonuses

Kenya's cricket players were given a morale boost ahead of their Intercontinental Cup semi-finals in Namibia by receiving bonuses from the 2003 World Cup. The government announced the release of three million shillings (about 42,000 dollars) to offset their unpaid allowances and bonuses from the 2003 World Cup, where they made the semi-finals, as well as the 2004 Champions Trophy in England.

The non-payment of their dues has been a thorny issue leading to a player revolt against the former Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) office last October. Kenyan sports officials said the gesture to reward the players was in appreciation at the quick return to the normalcy after a long turbulent period which forced the government to appoint an interim committee last year.

Kenya, who play Bermuda in the ICC Intercontinental Cup on October 23-25, leave the country early next month with a stop-over in Zimbabwe to play a two three-day match against Zimbabwe A.