NOC-K upbeat as preparations for 2028 Olympics begin in earnest

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has begun preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, with officials seeking to broaden the country’s medal prospects beyond athletics.

Speaking at Kasarani in Nairobi, where the committee announced support for the national women’s team, Malkia Strikers, who are chasing their first Olympic Games win, NOC-K first Vice President Barnaba Korir said the committee had already visited Los Angeles to assess accommodation, competition venues and possible sites for a Kenya House ahead of the Games.

According to Korir, NOC-K is determined to cast its net wider and help more Kenyan athletes and teams qualify for the Olympics, instead of relying on athletics as the country’s main source of medals.

“The idea here is that we don't want to really depend on one sports discipline.

“We want to cast the net wider to make sure that we have as many qualifiers as possible,” he said.

He singled out the Malkia Strikers as one of the teams that Kenya hopes to see at the 2028 Games, following their strong performances in continental competitions.

Korir said early preparations were crucial to avoid the last-minute approach that has characterized previous Olympic campaigns.

“We don't want to have a situation where we are always starting preparation towards the end, and that has not been good for us,” he said.

He said the committee would work closely with the government and national federations to identify disciplines with a realistic chance of qualifying and provide the resources required to strengthen their campaigns.

Korir, however, cautioned that the size of Team Kenya would not be the main measure of success, saying quality and competitiveness should take priority.

“It’s not the bigger number that counts the most. We don't want to participate just because it counts, but we want to be very competitive,” he said.

He said Kenya should aim for strong performances across disciplines, with athletes and teams reaching finals and competing for medals.

“We don't want to rely only on athletics. We also want to see different teams doing well and reaching the finals,” Korir said.

Korir also called on sports federations to address disputes that have previously marred team selection, warning that Kenya could not afford to repeat mistakes that have resulted in selection disputes ending up in court.

He urged federations to adopt fair and transparent selection processes and ensure teams are adequately prepared before trials.

“We want to have a fair selection process, and also prepare the team so that when they go for the trials to select the team, then it is always smooth and efficient,” he said.

Korir said a well-prepared and competitive Team Kenya, supported by the government and sports federations, would give the country a better chance of improving its medal haul in Los Angeles.