How much will delayed Tokyo Olympic Games cost NOC-K?

The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to next year will cost Kenya Sh150 million more, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) announced on Friday.
NOC-K president Paul Tergat disclosed that their budget is going to increase from the initial Sh600 million to Sh750 million owing to challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tergat said the Games Steering Committee has had several meetings but the final decision will be made in December on the budget that also incorporated the Paralympics team.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed had advised NOC-K to reduce their initial budget of Sh600 million before Covid-19 struck.

Tokyo Olympics were postponed from July 24 to August 9 this year to July 23 to August 8 next year owing to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"The budget has definitely changed but we have been meeting with the government to explore the road map to Tokyo Olympics," said Tergat after he chaired NOC-K General Assembly at Pride In, Nairobi.

NOC-K acting secretary general Francis Mutuku said the budget increase had been necessitated by the cost of Covid-19 tests and protocols for both the Olympics and Paralympics teams.

"We have been in discussion with the government on the way forward, having met recently in Mombasa where we presented the revised budget. We have another meeting next week with the Steering Committee where approval will be sought," said Mutuku.

It's envisaged that Kenya will take 100 athletes for the Tokyo Summer Games, an improvement from the field of 89 athletes who participated at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Already, 80 sportsmen and women have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, which include three team sports, Kenya Sevens Shujaa, Kenya Sevens Lionesses and national women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers.

Also, close to 40 men and women from athletics have attained the Olympic qualifying times and distances.

Tergat said the General Assembly was convened to update members on the happenings at the NOC-K headquarters in the last one year.

"We talked about the normal governance issues especially this time when we are faced by Covid-19 challenges and our preparations," said Tergat, adding that they also briefed members on their athletes' support initiative during this period until sports activities resume fully.

Tergat said they also explained to members about their largely successful Olympic Solidarity initiative where they supported 40 programs for athletes, coaches and federation officials.