NOCK, Japan officials hold talks in Nairobi ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics

A two-man delegation from Karume City, an inland town on Japan’s Kyushu Island is in Nairobi to hold talks with National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) as plans for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games takes shape.

NOCK and Kurume City entered into a partnership two years ago that will see Kenyan athletes train in the Japanese City prior to the Olympic Games to be staged in Tokyo from July 24- August 9 next year.

According to NOCK acting secretary general Francis Mutuku, the two officials are in the country to finalise on the plans before signing the partnership next year February.

“We have two officials representing the mayor of Kurume City; we have been having talks with them for two years now.

This (talks) is important since we want our athletes to acclimatise with the harsh weather in Tokyo prior to the Olympics,” said Mutuku.

Mutuku said the two officials are in the country to be briefed on the developments since Kenyans officials visited the Japanese city on May as part of the partnership between the two bodies.

At least 45 athletes have already qualified for the summer showpiece consisting of two swimmers, 28 track and field athletes and the national rugby teams – men and women.