This Is NOCK's Kind Gesture To Ailing Kenyan Track Superstar

19th February 2019 - by Erick Ochieng

Local body pledges to clear hospital bill of first Kenyan Olympian, Nyantika Mayoro who is hospitalised with pneumonia in Kisii

Olympian Nyantika Mayioro during a past interview. PHOTO/ YOUTUBE.COM

SUMMARY

The National Olympics Committee-Kenya (NOCK) is the latest to heed the call for help after pledging to help offset his hospital bills besides setting up a fund to cater for the welfare of local sporting legends of the past
His case came hot on the heels of another Kenyan sporting legend, Joe Kadenge, falling ill and being hospitalised at Nairobi Hospital after suffering a reported stroke, raising concerns about the well-being of icons from the past
In 2018, NOC-K organised Athletes Career Transition workshop which was aimed to assist them prepare for life after their active career

NAIROBI, Kenya- Local track legend, Nyantika Mayioro has been in the news lately after being hospitalised in Kisii reportedly suffering from pneumonia with his plight highlighted in mainstream and social media.

The National Olympics Committee-Kenya (NOCK) is the latest to heed the call for help after pledging to help offset his hospital bills besides setting up a fund to cater for the welfare of local sporting legends of the past.

Mayioro was the first Kenyan to compete at the greatest sporting show on earth- the Olympics- at the Melbourne 1956 Games- and has been ailing for a number of years.

His case came hot on the heels of another Kenyan sporting legend, Joe Kadenge, falling ill and being hospitalised at Nairobi Hospital after suffering a reported stroke, raising concerns about the well-being of icons from the past.

“In recognition of this indelible contribution to our sports, NOC-K will in the meantime offer some financial support to Nyantika towards his current medical attention in Kisii County,” the federation Acting Secretary General, Francis Mutuku, underlined in a statement sent to news rooms on Monday.

“NOC-K appreciates that this is only a stop-gap measure, which is not sustainable or all-inclusive and, therefore, hope that in the coming months, shall come up with a strategic programme to provide support to our Olympians,” Mutuku added.

Mayioro won 3000m race at the Indian Ocean Games in Madagascar in 1953 before he went ahead to become Kenya’s first Olympian in 1956 where he represented the country in men’s 5000m contest in Melbourne, Australia.

“Mayioro is among the pioneer athletes who inspired a generation of runners and positioned our country to the global stardom in athletics,” Mutuku highlighted.

In 2018, NOC-K organised Athletes Career Transition workshop which was aimed to assist them prepare for life after their active career.

The conference equipped them with professional and life skills to aid them in the transition process.

“NOC-K will roll out a similar programme this year and we call upon various stakeholders in financial, insurance and service sectors to come on board as we seek to help our athletes enjoy life after retirement.”

“We are optimistic that upon conclusion of our ongoing Strategic Plan, Olympians will be able to access better resources and facilities that will be handy to their post-career life,” Mutuku underscored.