By GPC Sports Desk
National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) president Paul Tergat has called for constitutional reforms, wider membership and investment in a dedicated high-performance training centre.
The call comes at a time when Kenya is preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and future Olympic cycles.
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Tergat made the call on Tuesday during a NOCK Special General Meeting at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi, which he said presented an opportunity to strengthen the organisation’s governance and improve long-term preparation of Kenyan athletes.
“Today marks an important milestone in our collective journey. We gather here with a singular purpose: to strengthen the foundations of our organization through constitutional clarity, reform, and alignment,” Tergat said.
He said the proposed constitutional amendments followed differing interpretations of NOCK’s rules during the protracted 2025 electoral process. Recommendations by a review committee have been presented to members for consideration and adoption.
“This process is not just about compliance—it is about embracing reform. Good governance is the lifeblood of sport. Without transparency, trust is eroded; without accountability, legitimacy is lost,” he said.
Tergat urged member federations to uphold similar standards and align their operations with the International Olympic Committee Charter.
“As NOCK, we must lead by example,” he said.
The meeting is also considering applications from organisations seeking affiliation to NOCK. Tergat welcomed expansion of the Olympic family but said newly affiliated members would only become eligible to vote in NOCK elections after completing a full four-year cycle.
“This principle ensures that affiliations are driven by commitment to Olympic values and the development of sport, rather than immediate electoral interests,” he said.
Road to LA28
Tergat said Kenya’s preparations for Los Angeles must begin with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which he described as an investment in the country’s next generation of Olympians.
“Dakar represents an important investment in the next generation of Kenyan Olympians,” he said, calling for young athletes to receive high-quality coaching, sports science, medical support, athlete welfare and high-performance management.
He identified 2027 as a critical preparation year, with the Malta Youth Commonwealth Games, African and World Beach Games and the African Games in Egypt providing important competitive opportunities. The African Games will also serve as a key Olympic qualification pathway.
“We must therefore approach 2027 not simply as a calendar of competitions, but as a critical preparation year for Team Kenya,” Tergat said.
At the centre of NOCK’s long-term strategy is the planned acquisition of a state-of-the-art Team Kenya High Performance Training Centre in Engineer.
“This is an important strategic investment for Kenyan sport,” Tergat said.
High performance
The proposed facility is expected to bring training, sports science, recovery, medical services, coaching and accommodation together at one location.
“For too long, our athletes have had to depend on fragmented facilities and arrangements for their preparation. We must now begin building a system that gives Team Kenya a permanent high-performance base,” he said.
Tergat said the facility would serve a purpose beyond the Los Angeles Games, providing a foundation for preparations for Brisbane 2032 and subsequent Olympic cycles.
“It is about building the foundations for Brisbane 2032 and future Olympic cycles,” he said, calling for a shift “from a culture of participation to a culture of preparation and performance.”
He urged NOCK members to unite behind the reforms and athlete-development agenda.
“Let us modernize our governance, strengthen our unity, invest in our athletes and build the high-performance systems they deserve,” Tergat said.
“Good governance is not a choice; it is our duty,” he added. “And in fulfilling it together, we secure both the future of NOCK and the legitimacy and success of Kenyan sport.”
