Governors want athletics committee overhauled over Rio fiasco

What you need to know:

  • Kericho County Governor Paul Chepkwony, who is the Chairman of the Council of Governors committee on sports and culture, on Wednesday accused Nock of subjecting the athletes to “maltreatment and indignity” during the games.
  • The Olympics turned into a circus of sorts with some athletes almost missing flights to Brazil at the start of the games while in some cases, coaches were not given the necessary passes to access the Olympics Village.
  • Prof Chepkwony also demanded that county governments be given a bigger role in preparations for future international games, beginning with next year’s Summer Games in London.

Governors have called for the overhaul the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) following the fiasco during the just concluded Rio Olympics.

Kericho County Governor Paul Chepkwony, who is the Chairman of the Council of Governors committee on sports and culture, on Wednesday accused Nock of subjecting the athletes to “maltreatment and indignity” during the games.

Prof Chepkwony called for action against the officials involved.

The Olympics turned into a circus of sorts with some athletes almost missing flights to Brazil at the start of the games while in some cases, coaches were not given the necessary passes to access the Olympics Village.

“The council has followed this matter with utmost concern. Some of the sports managers do not care about the sport but are only seeking to make money. Many athletes have preferred to run for other countries because they are demoralised,” said Prof Chepkwony in Kericho.

The Nock is led by athletics legend Kipchoge Keino, Mr Francis Paul (secretary) and Mr Stephen arap Soi who was the head of delegation to Rio.

The county boss proposed that athletes of “good standing” be given a chance to lead various sports organisations in the country.

Prof Chepkwony also demanded that county governments be given a bigger role in preparations for future international games, beginning with next year’s Summer Games in London.

The governor said the selection of athletes to compete in international events has for years been centralized in Nairobi, locking out better sportspersons from the rural areas.

“Governors must be represented at the national management level. The shocking level of mismanagement at Rio was a result of a few people trying to take advantage of our athletes’ success at the games. This embarrassed our government and the president and should never happen again,” he added.

He said governors had drawn up a ‘very competitive process’ through which athletes to compete in the London games next year should be selected to ensure that players in rural areas are given equal chances to represent the country as those who have turned professional.

He also said prominent athletes should be recognized by having their statues across the country as one way of inspiring up-and-coming athletes.