Kenya is ready to conquer the world at the 23rd Commonwealth Games, which take place from 23 July to 3 August in Glasgow, Scotland.
Shadrack Maluki, president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), declared that Team Kenya is raring to go, with the first group of athletes set to leave the country on Thursday next week.
Despite the reduction in events at the 'Club' Games due to a lack of funding and a change in host cities, Maluki said they expect to surpass their previous performance at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, England.
Kenya is the second most successful African country at the Commonwealth Games, behind only South Africa, having won 258 medals: 91 gold, 80 silver and 87 bronze. South Africa has won 416 medals, including 137 gold, 132 silver, and 147 bronze.
Kenya is currently eighth and South Africa sixth in the overall medal standings, with Australia in first place with 2,604 medals: 1,003 gold, 834 silver and 767 bronze.
Kenya collected 21 medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games, including six gold, five silver and 10 bronze, all of which came from athletics except for the para powerlifting bronze won by Hellen Wawira.
“We are confident of achieving good results because we have prepared the team well, including sending some of the swimming and para sport athletes for specialised training in South Africa,” said Maluki.
He was speaking after receiving sponsorship from Bidco Africa and New Kenya Cooperative Creameries at the Team Kenya camp at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Bidco Africa chairman Vimal Shah and Maluki signed a deal that will see Bidco come on board as Team Kenya's hydration partner, as they launched their new drinking water brand, Arista Premium.
Genesio Mugo, chairman of the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), said that New KCC will supply Team Kenya with fresh milk while they are in training camp.
"Bidco and New KCC have set an example, and I urge other companies to follow their lead and support Team Kenya. Top sporting nations thrive because of corporate partnerships,” said Maluki.
Shah said that their entry marked the start of their relationship with NOC-K, as they aim to establish themselves as Team Kenya's official hydration partner.
"We are starting with the Commonwealth Games, and will then be involved in other NOC-K programmes, such as the forthcoming Youth Olympics," said Shah, adding that his products, which include recommended energy drinks, will be available to Team Kenya.
He commended Kenyan athletes for showcasing the country globally through their impressive performances.
“We hope that our products, especially the water, will help to achieve good results,” said Shah.
“We are the second largest contributor of protein in the country after the Cereals Board,” said Mugo, hoping that their contribution will encourage good performances from Team Kenya.
Kenya will be represented by 93 athletes competing in 12 disciplines, including para sports, at the ‘Club’ Games, which are returning to Glasgow after 12 years.
This is a smaller delegation than the 123 athletes representing the country in 17 sports at the 2022 Birmingham, England Games, after the organisers reduced the number of participants from 5,000 to 2,500.
