Tergat: ‘I need time to plan well’

Paul Kibii Tergat, the new National Olympic Committee of Kenya president, has called on the sports fraternity to give him time as he prepares to redeem the organisation's image.

Tergat, the two-time Olympic silver medallist, said he is focused on guiding Kenya’s umbrella organisation to success, “but we need time to put ourselves on course.”

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) is facing financial challenges, putting the former marathoner in a tricky position.

“There is no money at the moment and you know very well that money is needed to facilitate our work. I don’t want to make promises that may not be realised but I will do my best,” said Tergat.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has promised to support Nock and even resume funding it.

IOC President Thomas Bach said in a congratulatory letter to Tergat. “Let me assure you of the IOC support and assistance in this important task. The IOC NOC Relations Department and Olympic solidarity will liaise with you shortly to review all details with Nock.

“It is now expected that Nock will strengthen its collaboration with the IOC, the national federations, the government authorities and all other external partners. In the interest of sport and the athletes, and that significant efforts will be made together to ensure Nock and its member federations always operate in accordance with the principles and rules which govern the Olympic movement and the highest standards of good governance.

“This is the end of a long process initiated a year ago, in agreement between the IOC, the Nock and the government authorities to resolve the conflict situation that had emerged after the Olympic Games Rio 2016. But this is also a beginning to a new chapter in the Olympic movement in Kenya.

 “It is my pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your election on September 29 as president National Olympic Committee of Kenya following the successful conclusion of the Nock Elective General Assembly which took place under supervision of IOC member Sam Ramsamy.”

Tergat is no stranger to leadership. He has risen to the rank of major in the Kenya Air Force, with several other accolades from institutions across the globe.

They include appointment by the United National Secretary General as the 2010-2015 UN Millennium Development Goals Champion, 2010 African Union Peace Ambassador, 2004-2014 UN World Food Programme Ambassador Against Hunger, and 2011 honorary doctorate degree of Moi University, Eldoret.

Others are 2010 honorary doctorate degree at the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences of the University of Western Cape, South Africa, and 2010 Abebe Bikila Award (named after the 1960 Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion). He has authored a book, Paul Tergat: Running to the Limit, published in 2005.

In April 2013, Tergat was inducted into the Bupa Great North Run Hall of Fame in Newcastle, UK. He also received the prestigious XVII Premio Fair Play Menarini Award in Rome, Italy, in July. He was the first man to win a record five consecutive IAAF World Cross Country titles, from 1995 to 1999.