NOCK: Tergat’s legacy almost ruined as he steps down

The uncertainty about the elections of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) had threatened to spoil the legacy of Paul Tergat.

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Tergat, a former marathon record holder, took over NOCK in 2017 when the Olympic body’s image was in tatters.

Former officials had been dragged to court due to embezzlement of funds, and a uniform scandal was the hallmark of Team Kenya’s participation in every Olympic Games.

Therefore, when Tergat came into office, he had his in-tray full, facing an almost impossible task of turning things around.

In eight years, Tergat was able to turn around NOCK into one of the most respectable sports institutions in Kenya.

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But the push and pull surrounding the NOCK elections was almost always going to tarnish the good work by Tergat, and when he rose to speak yesterday in his last AGM as president, though he didn’t refer to the shenanigans around the country elections, he was a man under relief that the process would go on.

“After eight years of having had the privilege of being the NOCK chairman, the time has come to leave and hand over this seat,“Tergat pointed out as he began his last speech.

His speech did not betray any emotions and kept to the achievements he had made while appreciating those who had worked with him until then.

“I hope that in this time, I have been able to meet close to your expectations as a team because we leave a changed NOCK very different from the one we found.”

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He pointed out that during the eight years, they had managed to strengthen their footing in the Olympic and Commonwealth fraternity.

Tergat also admitted that it was not a rosy picture, pointing out that NOCK had faced public scrutiny on Team Kenya selection, management, and performance.

“I am a proponent of good governance, and this was made possible by the cohesiveness of the NOCK board.

As I leave, I remain positive about the prospect of sports in Kenya. As I leave, I am reminded that we serve but for a moment, and when you get that chance, you give it your best and leave an enduring legacy.”