Kenya, Japan forge Olympic partnership to boost athlete development

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya and the Japanese Olympic Committee have signed a landmark cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening athlete development, coaching, and high performance sport systems.

The agreement signed on the of February 19, seeks to give Kenyan athletes access to Japan's advanced coaching structures, elite academy programmes, and sports science expertise, while offering Japanese sports officials the chance to learn from Kenya's world renowned altitude training and endurance programmes.

Officials say the partnership is designed to create sustainable systems that support athletes year round, rather than focusing on isolated Olympic cycles.

The signing took place in Milano, Italy, at Japan House during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

NOC-K president Shadrack Maluki and JOC president Seiko Hashimoto led the ceremony, describing the MoU as a forward looking alliance grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to sporting excellence.

Under this agreement, athletes will take part in exchange programmes allowing them to train in both countries, while coaches will benefit from mentorship, technical clinics, and structured learning.

Sports administrators are also set to gain leadership and governance training to strengthen national systems.

The partnership will also connect Kenya to Japanese sports science and medical research institutions to improve athlete welfare, injury prevention, conditioning, and performance tracking.

Talent identification programmes and clear development pathways are key components, aiming to ensure young athletes progress smoothly from junior to elite levels.

Implementation begins immediately, with a joint technical team set up to coordinate timelines, resources, and measurable outcomes. Pilot exchanges for athletes and coaches are expected to start later this year.