Eleven lucky elite athletes land Olympic scholarships

Fast-rising Tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi is among the eleven lucky athletes who have landed scholarships from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.

The scholarships are meant to support the athletes in their preparation and qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Those selected include Rosario Danilo (Swimming),Mutua Brian Ndunda (Table Tennis), Mahabila Mathayo Matonya (Wrestling), Muchiri Samuel Muturi (Rowing), Kiprotich Alexander (Athletics) and (Javelin),Angella Okutoyi (Tennis),Kiarie Josette Umi Njeri (Triathlon), Debe Nancy Akinyi (Cycling),Wakoli Sharon (Taekwondo),Ongare Christine( Boxing) and Priscillla Mburu (Sports Shooting).

Rosafio, the Tokyo 2020 Olympian is receiving his second scholarship. He was top in his heat 2 at the Tokyo Games and clocked a personal best time of 52.54 seconds. Rosafio made improvements from his previous competitions, the 2019 World Swimming Championships in Gwangju, South Korea where he managed a time of 52.66. Danilo goes to school and trains in the UK.

Okutoyi has had an impeccable growth as a junior athlete, after being the first Kenyan girl to win a junior Grand Slam Match at the 2022 Australian Open at 17 years of age. She has also qualified for the French Open and Wimbledon. Currently, she’s playing in Italy as she prepares for the prestigious Roland-Garros coming up in June and thereafter Wimbledon in July. If she keeps on the same path the 18-year-old has the potential to qualify for the Paris Games.

Ongare is the first Kenyan woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in boxing. The triumphant flyweight boxer who is currently away for the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul will be looking to better her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after making her debut at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

Kiprotich, the 2013 African Junior Championship gold medalist and Commonwealth javelin thrower also received a scholarship as he puts in some spadework towards making a debut at the 2024 Olympic Games. He is currently preparing for the African Senior Championships in Mauritius next month.

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NOC-K Secretary-General Francis Mutuku said, ‘The awards therefore mean that the IFs have confidence that the athletes have the potential to qualify for the Olympics if they put in the work. The scholarships were given based on exemplary performance in the past and present of an athlete and what the future towards the Olympic Games at a glance seems," he said.

Waithaka Kioni who is the body's second Vice President congratulated the athletes on behalf of NOC-K president and encouraged them to put the funds into proper use.

“We aim to place the athlete at the center of everything. This scholarship award to the eleven athletes will hopefully boost our qualification and performance as Team Kenya towards Paris 2024. Personal discipline is very key to breaking the ceiling to success. We shall keep reviewing the performances now that you have our support," said the Volleyball boss.

Each of the scholarship holders will receive a monthly subsidy from now until August 2024 to support their training and qualification costs. This includes specialised coaching services, equipment, local/overseas training, regular medical assistance and monitoring, and other items that would assist the athletes so that they can focus on their journey to prepare and qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.