The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) will start up a NOCK Foundation which will help in supporting sportsmen and sportswomen live a decent life beyond their competitive life spans.
According to NOCK President Shadrack Maluki, the NOCK Foundation will not only cater fot the financial empowerment of former athletes who might have slumped in the economic status, but as well, cater for their mental health welfare.
Speaking, Maluki emphasised that beyond medals and the spotlight, some athletes end up in diplorable conditions and must be celebrated wven beyond their active years as people who represented Kenya and brought glory and pride to the nation.
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya’s plan is therefore to establish a foundation and a high-altitude sports rehabilitation centre to support athletes’ mental health, financial well-being, and life after competition, ensuring Kenya’s sporting heroes are cared for long after they have represented the nation.
“The National Olympics Committee of Kenya is proud of the achievements of all athletes and they need to be taken care of. The other day, we saw a former rugby player who was picked from the streets by well wishers in diplorable conditions. We have had many more who remain isolated in their retirement while others are strugling with mental health issues. NOCK is working with the Kenyan Government establish a foundation that will support athletes’ mental health, financial well-being,” President Maluki said.
Additionally, President Maluki announced that NOCK will soon acqure a piece of land at a high altitude area to establish a sports rehabilitation centre where athletes can train and ensure they remain fit even long after they have stopped representing the country while current athletes too can have a place to develop their talents.