NOC-Kenya seeks Sh750 million for Olympics preps
Barry Silah @obel_barry
The National Olympic Committee - Kenya (NOC-K) is seeking Sh750 million to aid in its preparations for the Tokyo Olympics.
NOC-K has put in motion an ambitious plan in the coming months in terms of organisation and plans ahead of the rescheduled Olympics slated for summer next year.
During an Annual General Meeting on Friday NOC-K president Paul Tergat lobbied the General Assembly for funds to put their plan in motion.
“We have informed the General Assembly in no uncertain terms that whichever the status, we will go to the Olympics and compete.
We have done so much in partnership with our members to get to where we are but more needs to be done.
Indeed, we are talking to the government where there is a shortfall especially because of this issue of Covid-19.
All our members are happy with the progress and of course priority is the health of our athletes and so adherence to our health protocols is essential.”
Apart from handling Covid-19 packages for athletes, NOC-K is now planning to put a sports centre in place.
“This meeting was for essentially giving a Report to the General Assembly for the past 12 months.
NOC-K acting Secretary General Francis Mutuku said: “Some of the projects we have include moving offices after acquiring our own new space at Gallant Plaza in Parklands.
As we speak, the government is in the process of completing the bailout for the NOC-K Plaza because our lease was due.
We are also keen on a sports centre which will house facilities like fitness and conditioning place for athletes to be assessed and tested.”
“NOC-K has been in talks with the government over a budget increment for the forthcoming elections.
The previous budget was Sh500 million but the NOC-K wants more due to the Covid19 pandemic.
“We are still in discussions with the Ministry of Sports and indeed the steering committee is in constant discussions with the Cabinet secretary and her team.
We had proposed our budget and in fact the CS promised that by December things will be rolling so we are hopeful,” stated Mutuku.
Legendary Kipchoge Keino who is a member of the NOC-K board talked of a united front ahead of the Games calling for a proper plan of action in a bid to succeed.
“We must go in as a united team so that our athletes succeed. We want to go and perform well no matter what.”
