Murkomen wants Kenya to diversify representation in future Olympics

Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has emphasised that Kenya needs to be intentional in fielding athletes in several disciplines at the Olympic Games, in order to attain more glory.

Speaking during the grand reception of Kenyan Olympians who competed at the Paris Games at the Eldoret State Lounge on Thursday, Murkomen said that Kenya must increase its medal count in the future games.

The CS  says it was a serious concern that Kenya has continued to rely on athletics for medals, while there is much potential in other disciplines.

“We are only depending on runners. Other countries are heaping many medals as they have many other things. I don’t understand why we can’t participate in for example shooting or archery,” said Murkomen.

In Paris, Kenya bagged a total of 11 medals all which came from track events despite having representatives in volleyball, rugby, swimming, fencing and judo.

Kenya entered one fencer, Alexandra Ndolo and one judoka, Zeddy Cherotich, marking the country’s debut in these two sports.

Kenya also entered volleyball, rugby and javelin; apart from the road and track events which brought all the medals.

Acknowledging the current limitations, Murkomen attributed Kenya's lack of success in various sports to issues within sports federations.

 “We know the problem is in the leadership of these federations. Most of these federations are not organized,” he noted.

“As a Ministry we want to promise that the federation for swimming, badminton and archery; will be summoned so that we organise them and support them. In four years time, we should have more disciplines ready for fielding in the 2028 Olympics,” said Murkomen.