•He said Ndolo's citizenship change is still being handled by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), meaning that NOC-K can't still sign her up for the Olympic Solidarity Fund.
• Ndolo asserted that she needs assistance from everyone to grow or promote the sport of fencing in Kenya.
Image: HANDOUT
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has refuted claims that Kenya's fencing queen Alexandra Ndolo has been abandoned.
NOC-K secretary general Francis Mutuku said in a statement that Ndolo has been identified as one of the Paris-bound athletes in need of immediate financial support.
He confirmed that they will be meeting government representatives this week to discuss Team Kenya’s budget for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games where her case will be highlighted.
"The Ministry will be having a retreat with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya to consider all aspects of qualification and participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"The meeting is expected to come up with a strategic direction including but not limited to pathways of possible sports towards the Olympics. Ndolo is among the athletes whose pathway is a priority with very high chances of doing well in the Olympics.
"Mutuku noted that the German-born athlete had reached out to Kenya Fencing Federation and the chairman informed her of the current situation in terms of infrastructural development and funding in Kenya.
"She made her decision with the information at hand to represent Kenya in international Fencing events," Mutuku said.
He said Ndolo's citizenship change is still being handled by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), meaning that NOC-K can't still sign her up for the Olympic Solidarity Fund.
"NOC-K has been able to obtain all the necessary documentation and requisite approvals and formal application made to International Olympic Committee for consideration.
"The Committee which will consider this application will next seat in June after which we shall be advised on whether the waiver has been granted and if so allow the athlete to represent Kenya," Mutuku noted.
An athlete who changes citizenship must wait three years before participating in the adopted country, according to International Olympic Committee Rule 41 on athletes' nationality.
Mutuku said they will see to it that Ndolo attends the Attica Fencing Championships scheduled for June 18 to 23 in Cairo, Egypt.
His comments come in response to the fencing champion's Sunday complaints on social media about the lack of assistance she received on her Olympic voyage to Paris.
Ndolo asserted that she needs assistance from everyone to grow or promote the sport of fencing in Kenya.
"It's time for me to be open and honest with myself and those around me. I've had enough. I hate to admit it, and I hate to ask for help, but I feel I can no longer lie, especially if those lies are protecting the system that should be supporting me," Ndolo declared.
She claimed that she did not want to contribute to the misconception that Africa is too unorganized or unwilling to support its finest athletes.
"I am very protective of how Africa is perceived on other continents, but here is the truth," Ndolo explained. Ndolo revealed that she had planned and paid for her entire fencing season, which had taken a financial toll on her.
“I have completely exhausted my resources and built up a debt that is quite frankly threatening my existence,” said Ndolo, adding that contrary to the common idea of people living in Europe, she isn’t rich.
“I can’t afford to promote fencing in Kenya, assure visibility for the young Kenyan athletes, the young Kenyan coaches, and provide results for the officials whilst getting no support whatsoever,” he said