NOCK President Paul Tergat hass announced extra interim funding for Tokyo 2020 qualification ©Getty Images

Paul Tergat, President of Kenya’s National Olympic Committee, has announced that the organisation will spend Sh12mn (£90,500/$120,000/€105,500) to assist more than 22 sports prepare and participate in qualification tournaments for Tokyo 2020. 

The former multiple world cross country champion and world record holder, who took over his current position in October 2017 in the wake of financial scandals within NOCK before and during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro that are now the subject of court proceedings, also offered apologies to the country for what happened.

Seven officials are now facing charges of misappropriation of funds.

"We know everything that happened in Rio and we want to let the processes that are already on take its course," Tergat said.

"We want to put that behind our backs now.

"We want to drive looking at the windscreen and not the side mirror.

"We want to say sorry to Kenyans for all that happened, but we want to move on from it.

"We want to get things right for Tokyo 2020.

"The Olympics comes once in four years and if we don't get things right, we will be killing a lot of aspirations of our young people out there."

Flag bearer Shehzana Anwar of Kenya leads her team during the Opening Ceremony of Rio 2016, where serious financial malpractice by Kenyan officials was uncovered ©Getty Images
Flag bearer Shehzana Anwar of Kenya leads her team during the Opening Ceremony of Rio 2016, where serious financial malpractice by Kenyan officials was uncovered ©Getty Images

Each of the 22 governing bodies, including fencing and shooting, are set to get at least Sh500,000 (£3,800/£5,000/€4,400) each to supplement their own budgets to aid in the qualification process for next year's showpiece.

Kenya were Africa's top-ranked country at Rio 2016, finishing 13th overall with a total of 13 medals, including six gold and six silver, but all of them in athletics. 

"We understand that some of our Federations have been struggling financially so as a Committee, we have decided to step in with some little financial assistance," Tergat explained.

"We have been working round the clock to see that more sports federations qualify for the Olympics and with this help we are offering, we help they can compete.

"The funds are primarily to start getting our teams ready for qualifications.

"This we know is a drop in the ocean if we are to effectively participate in these competitions."

The entire budget for next year's Olympics is expected to be completed by October with the final details set to be presented to the Sports Ministry for funding.

Tergat admitted that they are aware of the substantial funds currently held in the Sports Fund that remains in limbo but hopes that the Sports Fund will fast-track the release of the money.