NOC-K Accords Support To Coaches In Preparation Towards Paris 2024
Deputy Treasurer NOC-K John Ogolla, informing and discussing with the coaches at Riadha House.PHOTO/COURTESTY
NAIROBI, Kenya-The NOC-K Executive and a NOC-K technical team have today met coaches of athletes in the qualification pathway to the Olympics at Riadha House.
The meeting was convened to give NOC-K the platform to inform and discuss with the coaches the joint plan of preparation with Athletics Kenya for athletes in the qualification pathway to Paris 2024 in this sprint finish.
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya is providing financial support to all qualified athletes in addition to other athletes shortlisted by Athletics Kenya as the most probable to achieve qualification for the Olympics.
A decision to extend support to the athletes’ individual coaches was announced to the attendants of the technical meeting, a move that was received positively with several coaches terming it “Groundbreaking’.
Athletics Kenya will host the Olympic trials in mid-June where all eligible athletes are expected to participate to secure their slots in the Paris Olympics National team.
The NOC-K Secretary General, Francis Mutuku in discussion with the coaches at Riadha House. PHOTO/COURTESY
“Our athletes are as good and as happy as the coaches handling them, they are the closest people to the athletes, and they are often the unsung heroes. We identified a gap where focus goes to the athletes while coaches only get recognized after the National team has been named.” The NOC-K Secretary General, Francis Mutuku said, adding that “Olympic preparation for athletes does not start after the National trials and that is why we are getting involved even before the trials while also ensuring our support is 360 degrees”.
For the moment, 69 male and female athletes are shortlisted in the following events, 800m, 1500m, 3000m Steeplechase, 5,000m, race walking, and field events.
10,000m athletes will be put on the Olympic Program immediately after their trials while NOC-K has ongoing support for the selected marathon team.
The support includes daily allowances to the athletes, their pace setters, and coaches, in addition to enhancing the facilitation of their physiotherapy, medical, gym, and transport.
Coach Ruth Bundotich engaging at the NOC-K Olympic Planning at Riadha House. PHOTOT/COURTESY
“We have never seen anything like this, the coaches have been struggling despite putting in a lot of work and sacrificing a lot of time, the financial support we are receiving from NOC-K is very empowering, it means Coaches can now focus on good results.” Coach Ruth Bundotich expressed her gratitude.
The meeting was attended by Athletics Kenya Senior Vice President, Paul Mutwii, Treasurer David Maino, Chief Administrative Officer, Susan Kamau and technical personnel. NOC-K was represented by the Secretary-General, Francis Mutuku accompanied by Deputy Treasurer and Olympics Performance Lead, John Ogolla.
“We are very pleased to be engaging all our stakeholders before the trials, Athletics Kenya is partnering closely with NOCK in its capacity building and in promoting synergies between all parties, Supporting the athlete and their Coach will go a long way.” Said AK vice president, Paul Mutwii.
A.K on its part is imploring coaches to assist in the fight for clean sports. A Steering Committee is in place to implement clean sports strategies. The Chairman of the Steering Committee set up by the Government and World Athletics, Hon. Wesley Korir, who was present in the meeting mentioned that they are onboarding everybody to work together in the fight for clean sports. The government has set aside 5 million dollars annually to fight for clean sports in Kenya and ADAK is doing robust education in this area. The other intervention by the Steering Committee is having an organized system of qualified, and accredited athletics coaches.
