The National Olympics Committee has today concluded a two-day session of the Athletes Commission Forum on 11th November 2022 at Sports view Hotel.
The workshop which has been aiming at empowering and enlightening athletes to ensure their viewpoints remain at the heart of decision making, concluded with talks on Athlete 365ICareer+
This is a program run by the International Olympic Committee to ensure athletes power up their future through rising after sports life. It focuses on strengths, impact and purpose of what athletes could become after the sports life.
40 athletes were represented with 20 athletes selected from each federation; some of the federations including the “new” sports currently being embedded at the Olympics; Gymnastics, breakdancing and E-sports.
NOC-K President Dr. Paul Tergat while opening the session yesterday encouraged the athletes to take the opportunity and start planning for their career transition.
“The sports window is so small; an injury could make you never compete again. This generation is so lucky to have such forums, some of my colleagues retired and didn’t know what to do next. Take control of your future.”
Secretary General Francis Mutuku encouraged the athletes to keep working hard as 2023 will be one of the busiest years with six Games coming close back-to-back.
The second day featured Facilitator from athlete 365 Program, Kadi Kanoute.
Kadi is a former Mali Basketball player and an Olympian in the 2008 Summer Olympics. WADA Education Committee Chair. Master Trainer and Steering Committee member – IOC Career+ Program with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management – Fordham University (USA).
She’s an example of an athlete who’s defied borders and limits.
“I wasn’t lucky enough to know what a life span of an athlete would look like and so when I retired, it was hard. In my 30s I didn’t know what to do, I couldn’t even wear a suit. I decided to focus on Africa and show our athletes back home how much of an opportunity there is when you plan and invest in your sporting life for your life after sports.”
NOC-K Athletes Representative and Chairman of the Athletes Commission, Humphrey Kayange was in charge of the program and spoke on Transition from sporting careers to normal life .
“We’ve had an empowerment session on how they can move forward and the traits as well as practices that they can carry forward after their active days. The session we have had this year we believe is very important and we look forward to the impact it will make in the future.”
Athletes gave their reaction to their two-day workshop while thanking NOC-K for the platform to voice their concerns and learn of career transitions which is an ongoing narrative in the Olympic Movement.
“This is a great forum for me, it’s been so informative and innovative, I can’t wait to go and share with my colleagues. I’m currently studying and playing Rugby at the same time so I’m glad this forum has opened my eyes further into which direction I can move.” Vincent Onyala, Rugby Player said.
100m Commonwealth Champion Ferdinand Omanyala spoke on the importance of the workshop as a role model to the youths and sprinting society.
“Career transition is something that will happen to every athlete – no-one’s sporting career can go on forever, although I haven’t really planned for that, I also have a huge responsibility to play for the youths. They look up to me.” He said.
I’m currently at the peak of my career and learning how to remain disciplined, know my strengths, values and impact on other people’s lives is also important.
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