The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) president and Commonwealth Games Kenya boss Paul Tergat says he wants the country to be the first ever African nation to host the Commonwealth Games, and has hinted at a bid for either the 2030 or 2034 editions of the quadrennial Games.
Speaking exclusively to Telecomasia.net, Tergat says Kenya has the capacity to host such a multi-sport event, especially with three major facilities being renovated ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
This is a big dream and we really wish that in the near future, Kenya can host the Commonwealth Games. We have never hosted it here in Africa, not because we don’t have athletes or facilities, but because we have not been able to be courageous enough to bid. In Kenya now we have Nyayo, Kasarani and Talanta stadiums coming up and we can leverage on these facilities to comfortably host.
Paul Tergat exclusively for Telecom Asia Sport
Senegal’s capital Dakar is set to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026. It’s the first time such a high magnitude event will come to the continent, and Tergat says this will be a motivation for Kenya to go for the major games.
The most important thing is to have a dream. Why not? The Commonwealth Games will give an opportunity to more of our young people. We have the largest young population in the world and we need to give them opportunities. Hosting these big events will do that for them.
Paul Tergat exclusively for Telecom Asia Sport
The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event that takes place every four years. Competitors are drawn from one of the Commonwealth's more than 70 nations or territories, many of which were once part of the British Empire.