Government patners with IOC, UNHCR to support refugee sports

Nairobi, 

Friday, 25 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Kenya has committed to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) together with the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR) to support refugees sports in the country. 

During a meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach, UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi and government sports officials at State House on Friday, President William Ruto has vowed to promote talent development in refugee camps in Kakuma in Turkana County. 

“We commit to work with your organisations in the development of sports infrastructure and provision of education and training programmes and facilities,” he said.

The government of Kenya has explored potential partnerships between the IOC and the Kenya Academy of Sports to further advance the development of sports so that Kenya’s sportsmen and women can fully reap the benefits of their talent and reach their potential.

Consequently, the President pointed out that the Sports Fund has been aligned with Kenya’s development goals, including actively working to combat doping and ensure fair and clean competition.

On his part, Mr Bach pointed out that Kenya has effectively established itself as a reputable sporting nation internationally, with commendable sports administration nationally.

He commended the government for fully supporting sports, adding that Kenya is one of the IOC members with a holistic sports programme.

On refugees and the Olympics, Mr Bach said: “Kakuma is the cradle of the IOC refugee team and many refugee athletes have trained there.”

On the critical issue of doping that has plagued athletics globally, the IOC head told President Ruto that he had held talks with Kenyans sports officials and had agreed that any issues that arose would be addressed comprehensively.

Mr Grandi, the UNHCR Commissioner, commended Kenya for the role it has played over the years in hosting refugees and helping them to feel at home away from home.

He expressed the appreciation of UNHCR to the Turkana and Garissa county governments for including refugee affairs in their development plans.

A few months ago, Kenya received the flag to soar high at the Paris Olympics and pledged to deliver.

Team Kenya now celebrates the achievement of this promise with an impressive haul of 11 medals: first on the continent and second in athletics globally.