Speaking will distributing grants totalling to Sh2.6 million (USD 30,057.80) to 20 federations on Wednesday, National Olympics Committee Kenya (Noc-k) treasurer, Fridah Shiroya, announced the first lot will travel on July 12, the second three days later with the last contingent jetting out on July 20.
Shiroya who is the Chef de Mission for this year’s Africa Youth Games in Gaborone,Botswana, added Kenya will field a total of 131 athletes for the continental championships and will head to residential training camp staring May 3 to 17 at the same facility.
“We are through with accreditation and every thing is completed. We only urge the respective federations to work with us to make this a success.
“We really depend on our youth and we must encourage them to participate because this year’s event is very important since it will be used for the qualifications for 2014 Youth Olympics Games that will take place in August, in Nanjing, China. The only team that has qualified is rugby,” the treasurer who distributed Sh130, 000 (USD 1,504.6) each to 20 federations affiliated to the local Olympics body stated.
All the sports disciplines will enter a team except football, with Athletic Kenya (AK) having the biggest contingent of 30 participants that will depart May 18 for the Africa Youth Games that will run from May 23 to 31.
She confirmed of the 20 affiliates, two federations Kenya Judo Association and Kenya Tae-Kwon-Do Association will not receive this year’s grants since they have leadership wrangles.
“Every year we usually give something small to our affiliates to run their day to run their offices irrespective of whether there is a competition or not.
“But when it comes to the games, we have an understanding with the Government where the federations bring their budgets that we forward to the ministry of sports to allocate them funds for training and exposure.
“The only team that will get extra money this year is Olympic Boxing Federations that will receive an extra Sh855, 360 (USD 9,900) because they will be running a coaching training in May,” she stated.
Other federations that benefited are; AK, Football, Rugby, Volleyball, Basketball, hockey, Golf, Handball, Badminton, Swimming, Shooting, Rowing and Canoe, Wrestling and Cycling.
