NAIROBI, Kenya, April 4- The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (Nock) received further support on Wednesday from American firm Proctor and Gamble who presented Sh14m ($175,000) in sponsorship.
According to the agreement signed by both parties, Sh9m ($112,500) will go towards the development of youth sports initiatives driven by Nock with Sh5m ($62,500) being spent in preparations of the Kenyan team to the London Olympics.
At a press function to unveil the partnership, Nock chief and retired double Olympics champion, Kipchoge Keino, said the funding was a significant step as the country plots to return her best ever performance at the world’s greatest sporting carnival in summer.
“Qualifying for the Olympics will not be easy for Kenyans since they have to do so using the A standards. We are ranked among big nations such as United States, Britain, Russia and Germany and that is why our standards are so high.
“Our aim is to make a record for this nation at the Olympics in London and we need as much support as we can get to realise this goal. Our Government has given us over Sh200m ($2.5m) and this is not enough,” Kipchoge noted.
The Nock chair added much of the funds geared towards the London Games will be used in sending various national teams for qualification events outside the country and for setting up training camps for others.
“So far, we have three swimmers who have qualified for London and we expect a fourth to do so in South Africa. Our male boxers are set to travel to Algeria with the female ones going to China and this will cost a lot of money,” he added.
Currently sprinters and field athletes are preparing for London qualification in Nairobi with middle distance runners in camp at the IOC High Performance Training Centre in Eldoret.
“These teams are incurring travelling, accommodation, equipment and coaching expenses on a daily basis but I’m glad with the support we have been receiving from our companies including what we have today from P&G,” the Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972 Olympics titleholder expressed.
The firm’s vice-president for South and East Africa, Stanislav Vecera said the partnership was signed under the auspices of their global support of the Olympics Games that will span the next five editions of the event.
“It is our vision that this drive will ensure that Kenya continues to produce world class Olympians for generations to come. P&G is committed to support athletes and their development and we are calling on all Kenyans to foster the spirit of winning in Kenya,” Vecera added.
Speaking at the same function, British High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Peter Tibber reiterated Kenya’s importance as one of attractions at the London Olympics.
“We know of course that Kenya features very large at Olympics events and we hope that the expected success of Kenyan athletes in London will inspire all in the country to come together in peace ahead of the next General Elections in the spirit of the Olympics truce,”
