Kenyan fencer Alexandra Ndolo continues to decry lack of funding
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 28.03.26. | 16:11
The world-ranked épée, who made history as Kenya’s first-ever Olympic fencer at the Paris 2024 Games, entered the Budapest Grand Prix as one of the top 20 fencers in the world
On course to join the World Fencing League on Saturday, 25 April, at the Shrine in Los Angeles, trailblazing Kenyan Olympic épée star and reigning African champion Alexandra Ndolo continues to struggle with funding.
Since switching allegiance from Germany to Kenya in 2022, Ndolo has repeatedly complained about neglect by the Kenyan Fencing Federation, and her latest rant is no different.
Ndolo insists that while seeking private funding is a route she is exploring, those in charge of finances, representing her sporting institution, should do their job. "Their job of ensuring that funds dedicated to the sport reach those doing it.
How can one be part of a sporting organisation and not respect those representing them, the organization and the country at the highest level?
Cooperation, honesty and a willingness to share financial burdens should be a given, the foundation on which any sport could grow in the country.
.jpg)
Until we have accomplished this foundation, the sport will never grow and will have very small chances of producing champions at the adult level.
I decided to represent Kenya because I wanted to be a catalyst through which my sport could not just be introduced, but established in Kenya. This will not be achieved if I turn a blind eye to the misuse and focus on private sector funding," she wrote at the beginning of March.
Barely a month later, she was eliminated in the first round of the Budapest Grand Prix in Hungary, a loss she attributes to a lack of support.
"Out in the first round of the main draw. Not a single athlete at this competition came without a coach, the highest ranked with a coach and physio. I am amongst the top 20 in the world, yet I'm forced to compete like an amateur.
While my opponent today had the expertise of her coach to consult during the minute break, I had no one, yet again. I am competing without a coach present, because my current budget is only big enough for one flight ticket & accommodation.
I don't get allowances, partial budgets or refunds. The IOC stipend amounts to Ksh149,000 (1000€) each month, distributed by NOCK, yet paid for by the IOC. You tell me if this is enough to fly two people out to any competition.
I can accept to loose, everybody does sometimes. What I don't want to accept is being forced to be unprofessional," her latest scathing attack on her federation and the sports stakeholders, including the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), reads.
"Representing a rotten federation that withholds not some, but all of their assets. Representing a sports system that knows about it and instead of investigating and penalising such behaviour, voted the president of my federation into the position of treasurer of the National Olympic Committee.
The Kenyan sports system should be ashamed of itself! If you are not actively battling this status quo, you are part of the problem."
The 39-year-old has previously accused the national federation, led by president Fred Chege, of withholding funds and not supporting her as she travels to represent the country at major competitions.
She has also demanded that the federation produce audited accounts of monies received and how they have used the same to cater for the development of the sport in the country.
