30 June 2008
editorial
Nairobi — After the conclusion of the Euro 2008 football competition, the global attention now shifts to the world's biggest sporting spectacle, the Olympics.
Never has the Government been so involved in preparations for the Olympics than this year, which is quite gratifying especially given its tight budget.
Thus, President Kibaki's announcement on Saturday that the Government would spend Sh100 million to send a team to the Olympics is greatly welcome.
The onus now is on the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and sports associations to step up preparations and bring in the medals.
Traditionally, we have over-relied on athletics for the medals, a worrying trend that must change.
Boxing, martial arts, swimming and even rowing are disciplines in which Kenya can succeed if our sportsmen and women are offered appropriate training .
That Kenya managed only one gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens is a rather disturbing statistic and it is our hope that, even in athletics, we will appear more times on the podium in Beijing.
With just over a month left before the start of the Olympics, its too late to change coaching tactics and all that remains now is for the associations to ensure that morale in camp remains high and the athletes get what they need.
Issues of unpaid allowances or of truant officials must not arise.
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