Nock boss calls on KGU to tap talent

 

National Olympic Committee of Kenya(NOCK) chairman Kipchoge Keino has called on the Kenya Golf Union to seriously start searching for talent in all the counties in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. He was speaking at Eldoret Golf Club during the fifth leg of Nation Golf Classic. PHOTO|FILE.   NATION

In Summary

• Keino, who is also the chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya(NOCK), said Kenya was capable of producing golfers of international standard just like in other sports like athletics and rugby.
• The legendary Keino was among a group of retired and current athletes who were invited as special guests of the Nation Media Group during the fifth leg of the Nation Classic at Eldoret Golf Club.
• Former Boston marathon champion Moses Tanui, world steeple chase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, ladies world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat were the other athletes who graced the prize giving ceremony of the event which attracted a field of 104 golfers.

By Larry Ngala

One of the most respected sports personalities in the country, Kipchoge Keino, over the weekend called on the Kenya Golf Union to seriously start searching for talent in all the counties in preparation for the 2016 Olympics.

Keino, who is also the chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya(NOCK), said Kenya was capable of producing golfers of international standard just like in other sports like athletics and rugby.

“There is a lot of talent out there in the counties waiting to be tapped’’ he said.

The legendary Keino, who was among a group of retired and current athletes who were invited as special guests of the Nation Media Group during the fifth leg of the Nation Classic at Eldoret Golf Club, said he would like to see Kenya being represented in the next Olympic now that the game of golf had been included at the Games.

“I personal campaigned for golf to be included in the Olympics and I will be happy to see Kenya sending a team."

Former Boston marathon champion Moses Tanui, world steeple chase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, ladies world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat were the other athletes who graced the prize giving ceremony of the event which attracted a field of 104 golfers.

Kemboi said he was considering picking up the game of golf once he was through with athletics.

“I have three more years to run before I call it a day and when that time comes, I will definitely consider golf,’’ said Kemboi. Kiplagat thanked the Nation for recognising Kenyan athletes.

“I feel very honoured to be given this opportunity to attend such an important golf event. I know very little about golf but going by this weekend’s event, golf I believe It can grow to the same level like other sports,’’ she said.

Tanui who started playing golf a year ago thanked the Nation Media Group for honouring runners and recognising Kenyan runners.

“ This will definitely encourage more athletes to start playing golf which is a sport that can be played even at old age’’ said Tanui.

Speaking also during the same function, Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandagor said the county had set aside over one billion shillings to improve the Kip Keino stadium in Eldoret.

“As a county, we are embarrassed that a stadium that is named after a legend was in such a poor condition.

The county as therefore committed funds to make sure that it is brought into an international standard’’.

Mandagor said the county was looking at golf as a brand that can be used to attract tourists to Uasin Gishu.