NOC-K hopeful FKF will use AFCON 2027 as pathway to Olympics

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) wants Football Federation of Kenya (FKF) to capitalize on the investments being put towards 2027 African Cup of Nations to end the jinx of qualifying for future Games.

Neither Harambee Stars nor Harambee Starlets have ever qualified for the Olympic Games, and NOC-K appreciates there is a big potential that has not been fully utilized to break the jinx.

According to NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku, hosting the AFCON 2027 edition presents a big opportunity for FKF to accelerate the football Olympic dream.

“We have requested the FKF and the Ministry of Sports to make 2027 AFCON hosting a pathline for Kenya´s football qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. The women team Harambee Starlets lately came close to qualifying recently and we see the future is bright,” said Mutuku, during a media training in Sagana – Murang´a County.

Starlets’ chance for the Paris 2024 was wasted as Kenya was still suspended by FIFA following disbandment of the FKF by former Sports CS Amina Mohammed, when the draw for the qualifiers was done.

In the same breath, Mutuku who was giving a status update on Kenya’s preparedness for the Paris fiesta, acknowledged that there exists huge gaps in governance standards between federations and the umbrella body NOC-K, which indeed affect the success of teams under them.

“We believe in high standards when it comes to managing our affairs, which is the spirit we want reflected in all our affiliate federations. However, it is true there are quite huge gaps in some of our members. A good culture of sound governance in our federations will be fundamental in elevating our standards across the board,” he said.

Athletics, run by the Athletics Kenya has remained the major affiliate of NOC-K whose athletes have brought much glory in Kenya in the past Olympic editions.

For example, in the Tokyo 2020 edition, all the 10 medals won by Team Kenya were from athletics; four gold, four silvers and a bronze. Members of Team Kenya from boxing, rugby sevens, volleyball, swimming, beach volleyball and Taekwondo did not bag any medal.

Importantly, it is appreciated among all stakeholders that historical and geographical factors across the globe affect how different disciplines perform.

In that regard, NOC-K is keen on promoting new sports disciplines seen as most promising in terms of Kenya´s performance in the international arena.

“We have been investing in disciplines such as beach games which we believe we have a big potential of flourishing in. Currently we are hopeful that Alexander Ndolo (fencing) will qualify for the Paris Games, a sport Kenya has never been represented in…” Mutuku pointed out, also referring to tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi who is also working hard to make the Paris cut, an achievement which would be a ceiling breaker.