Elected four years ago as the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Executive Member, Barnaba Korir believes he has what it takes to go a notch higher and occupy the 2nd highest office – the 1st vice President in next month’s election.
The 60-year-old Athletics Kenya Executive member and Youth Director, believes with the exit of five-time World cross-country champion Dr Paul Tergat at the helm of NOCK, athletics need an advocate to articulate athletes’ welfare and issues.
“I’m excited also to plunge into the election; it’s exciting, and of course elections can be anything. It’s just a matter of being persistent enough to ensure that you talk to those delegates who are going to vote for us,” Said Korir
He promises to prioritise athletes’ welfare for the sport which has been consistent in winning medals for the country at the Olympics.
Korir adds “Its good when you have someone to speak about the Federation; there are so many coaching activities there also with a number of scholarships that benefit coaches, support personnel, and technical officials, and of course competitions that take place at NOCK.”
The AK Nairobi County Chairman has also hailed outgoing President Tergat on his legacy and urged the incoming office to continue with the legacy built by him.
“Tergat has been a very good leader for the institution, and I hope that now we will build on that legacy. We continue now to cement the input he has already done, and as we move ahead to get different aspirations, we have a springboard of what he and his administration have already done, so it’s not like you’re going to wipe out what you have done before. It’s a continuity but improving on the aspects of the leadership that he has left behind.”continued Korir
Korir has, however, urged all those vying for various positions in the forthcoming elections to campaign with decorum and embrace each other irrespective of the outcome.
He said “What we implode everyone to do is that let us do it in the most friendly manner; winning and losing shouldn’t be a big deal.”
NOCK elections will be held on the 24th of next month, with 29 delegates from affiliated federations deciding on office bearers for various posts for the next four years.
Tergat won’t be defending his position in next month’s elections after serving a maximum 2-term limit .
