EDITOR’S NOTE: We need more athletes than officials in Beijing

Part of the Kenyan team to Beijing Olympic Games left at the weekend and Kenyans are happy that they arrived safely to a warm reception.

It is encouraging that Chef De Mission, David Okeyo, medical staff and management officials accompanied the first group of the team. But it was unfortunate that the name of the team physiotherapist, whose services are very vital in Beijing, was missing from the list of those who travelled on Sunday.

Though there could be financial constraints on the Government in sending a large contingent to the Games, leaving out a physiotherapist, whose services are so critical, could be detrimental to the team’s performance. Thanks to athletes’ fierce protest that finally made team physiotherapist, Japheth Kariakim, to be included in the group that travels on August 11 to Beijing.

It is also worrying that we have so many officials accompanying the team. In some disciplines, even where we have single entrants, there are managers and assistant managers in the contingent.

It would have been fair if the slots were given to more athletes, rather than to joy riders, whose presence may not add value to the team.