Federations boost Tergat’s Nock presidency bid

Retired track and cross country legend, Paul Tergat’s bid to become the next president of the National Olympics Committee-Kenya (Nock) received a huge shot in the arm on Tuesday when he gained the support of top federations.

Tergat officially launched his campaign for the seat in Nairobi where he rolled out his proposed management team of the embattled organisation that includes fellow retired distance running great, Catherine Ndereba as an Athletes’ Representative.

The five-time World Cross senior men champion paid tribute to incumbent Dr. Kipchoge Keino whom he will be seeking to topple during the May 5 elections but stressed that Nock needed a breath of fresh ideas and stern action on the doping scourge to restore its tainted public image.

“As the President of Nock, I will ensure Kenya’s sports remain clean and credible and will jealously fight and safeguard Kenya’s name in regards to doping.

“There will be no room for doping under my Leadership. I will adopt a Zero tolerance policy,” the former world marathon record holder charged on the menace that brought Kenya to the brink of an International Olympics Committee (IOC) ban last year.

“Sport is changing by the day with new technologies and advancements. With these changes, I do believe time has come for a young, dynamic Kenyan to bring in newer ideas to take on the mantle and cope with these rapid changes.

“As a member of the International Olympic Committee, an Olympian and one who has actively been involved in some activities of the games, I believe I have what it takes to become the President of Nock,” the two-time Olympics 10000m silver medallist, declared.

Top federation chiefs among them Athletics Kenya (AK), Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) bosses were present during the launch in the clearest indication yet that Tergat will sweep the boards during the Nock polls.

Kenya Table Tennis Federation (KTTF), Kenya Hockey Union (KHU), Kenya Judo Association (KJA), Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK), Kenya Lawn Tennis Association (KLTA) and Kenya Sports Shooting Federation (KSSF) were other national governing bodies that endorsed his candidature.

“I am passionate, have the right skills, leadership experience and general welfare of the athletes at heart. Besides my own desire, I have consulted widely before making this decision.

“If elected, my first task, obligation and commitment is to ensure that the General interests and welfare of the athletes and all sports persons in Kenya is fully addressed throughout my tenure,” Tergat, a three-time World Half Marathon titleholder emphasised.

Tergat also said he will come up with programmes that will lead to the diversification and expansion of Kenya’s participation in future Olympic Games.

“This will be realized by ensuring qualification of broad sports disciplines that will return home with medals besides strengthening our traditional domains.

“I will work extremely hard to achieve this objective by creating and promoting a harmonious and cordial relationship with all federations, the Government and all stakeholders.

“I will engage partners, local and International in nurturing and developing Kenya’s talents through Sports Science and other emerging technologies for Kenya to continue its dominance,” Tergat underscored.

-Take charge-

“Today we are here to endorse Paul and his team and I hope in May there will be a big wave of change. We want to instill values in all venues. We are preparing for the 2020 Olympics and we would like Paul to take charge of Nock,” FKF President Nick Mwendwa noted.

AK will be seeking to represented in the Executive Committee by its leader Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Jackson Tuwei who will be going for the post of second Vice-president.

“We must prepare for the future today. We have got a number of events that need to be planned in advance such as like the Youth Commonwealth Games (July 19 to 23) and we are not sure if we are still sending a team there or not.

“The athletes need to train and prepare for the Games comfortably. We also have Commonwealth Games next year and we are not sure if they are also being planned for,” the retired Army Chief told the gathering.

Tuwei emphasised preparations for Tokyo 2020 also need to be launched early to stem the dependence of track and field as the only medal bread basket for Kenya.

“We have already lost a lot of time and no preparations have been made yet. We need somebody like Paul to be there and plan for such events in advance,” Tuwei noted.

After successfully defending his seat as KRU chairman, Richard Omwela hailed the amendment of the Nock constitution as he lauded the KTTF Chairman, Andrew Mudibo, for spearheading the changes.

“We have fought a huge battle to get to where we are today. When we talk about of a new dawn and a fresh Nock there is no one suits that place better than Paul. We would like for once to have someone who cares for the sports and the sports men and women with absolute sincerity,” Mudibo underpinned.

Elina Shiveka, from the KHU who is seeking the Treasurer’s post lamented smaller federations had been sidelined by the current regime accusing the outgoing office of dictatorial rule.

Team Tergat

1. Shadrak Maluki (KJA) – 1st Vice President
2. Lieutenant General (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei- 2nd Vice President
3. Andrew Mudibo( KTT) – Sectary General
4. 4 Francis Mutuku KLTA –Assistant Sectary General
5. Elina Shiveka KHU – Treasurer
6. John Kameta BAK – Assistant Treasure
7. Catherine Ndereba Athlete Representative – Committee Member
8. Shuaib Vayana KSSF – committee Member
9. Nabea Muriithi Upper Eastern chairman and NEC member-committee member
10. Women Representative – vacant
11. Female Athlete Representative- Vacant
12. Athlete Representative- Vacant