Kenya's Olympic body is seeking funds to prepare the east African nation's team for next year's Beijing Olympic Games.
The National Olympic Committee (NOCK) fundraising committee said the Kenyan contingent will require 100 million shillings (about 1.5 million US dollars) for its preparation and participation in the global event.
NOCK chairman Kipchoge Keino said there are plans to send a larger squad than the one that travelled to Athens games in 2004.
"We have started a bit late since there were other major games to focus on. However, we are confident we will raise enough money to meet our target," Keino said late Tuesday.
He said volleyball and hockey teams have started training for the Olympic qualifiers while the team's management committee will be named soon.
Keino who was speaking after receiving 3 million shillings from three corporate organizations called on other companies to emulate the gesture to ensure that Kenya is represented fully in next year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The NOCK chairman said they would give the selected team adequate training time ahead of the competition if Kenya has to maintain its good show at the global events.
"Qualifications of various disciplines are going on at the moment and we have made our contribution towards their travel and participation and I expect Kenya to get many of the slots reserved," said Keino.
National Olympic Fundraising board acting chairman, Ndung'u Gathenji said the expectations on the Beijing bound squad will be too high coming on the back of great performances at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan.
"The country will not expect less and we must select a team that lives up to the high standards," Gathenji said.
Sports Minister Maina Kamanda called more companies to come on board and contribute towards meeting the target, adding that next year's team to the Olympics is expected to surpass Kenya's performance at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka earlier this year.
"The challenge of Beijing is that it comes so soon after Osaka so Kenyans expect better performance. I hope the Osaka team will be included in the one to Beijing," Kamanda said.
Kamanda also challenged Athletics Kenya (AK) to make sure that the country is represented in field events at the Olympics.
"This has been an area where we have not done well. We must start now," he said.
Kamanda promised the ministry will work hand in hand with AK to hire coaches to train athletes in field events and predicted that in two years they would win medals in major world events.
"There is no reason we cannot win medals in field events. I am confident that with proper training this will be a reality in a couple of years," Kamanda said.
Source: Xinhua
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