National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) secretary general, Francis Mutuku has reiterated the need for Kenyan athletes to prepare early for major international events.
Mutuku made the remarks at a workshop hosted by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya on Friday. The NOC-K honcho emphasised the importance of a comprehensive strategic development plan to keep Kenya’s athletic tradition alive
Additionally, he revealed Kenya’s Olympic preparation strategy for the 2032 Brisbane Games. “Building a champion takes ten years. We will have missed the train by a wide margin if we wait until 2030 to begin planning for the 2032 Olympic Games. We must thus prepare, and we already have several plans to do so,” Mutuku stated.
“We’re worried and want to get our lost medals back,” he observed. Mutuku said a plethora of non-traditional disciplines would be promoted in the country to boost Team Kenya’s medal potential on the global stage.
“Athletes with unique circumstances, such as Alexandra Ndolo, the first Kenyan scheduled to compete in fencing at the 2024 Olympic Games, must get significant funding. She will motivate future generations.”
He stated that Kenya should as well protect all the areas where it has asserted authority over the years. “We are also making investments in the disciplines where we have a great chance to excel, like men’s 10,000m race and sprints.
“We have been advising our affiliate federations that gains shouldn’t be measured solely by looking at the world beaters the country has already produced. We must consider the future in addition to them. When we do not do this, we are occasionally exposed, like in the case of rugby.”
Mutuku acknowledged the nation’s sustained efforts in eradicating the doping menace.
“We want to make sure we compete honestly and prepare in every way. Before they can even compete, we don’t want our athletes to be characterised right off the bat. We are working together with ADAK and all federations to spread the word about clean sports by educating and preparing all important sports stakeholders.
Mutuku said NOC-K had already identified legendary sports personalities in the country to serve as role models in the raging war against substance abuse.
“We have chosen role models who have succeeded while keeping the spirit of running clean, such as great rugby player Humphrey Khayange.”
