Alexandra Ndolo: Fencer Corners Kenyan Union In Hard-Hitting Statement

36-year-old German-born Kenyan fencing champion, Alexandra Ndolo, on Saturday, May 20 bemoaned the lack of support from the Kenyan Fencing Federation in her ambition to represent the country in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In a statement on her recent Instagram post, Ndolo expressed how fed up she was with the lies she alleged came from the Kenyan sports system that was meant to support her in realising her 2024 Olympics dream.

"It’s time, to be honest with myself & with the people around me. I have reached my limit. I hate to admit it, I hate to ask for help, but I feel I can no longer lie. Especially if those lies are protecting the system that should support me.

Alexandra Ndolo in action at the Fencing World Cup in Estonia on November 13, 2022. /TWITTER.ALEXANDRA NDOLO

"I didn’t want to be the one feeding into the narrative of an African country being too unorganized or unwilling to support their high-level athletes, as I am very protective of the way Africa is being perceived on other continents. But here is the truth," she began.

Ndolo confessed to having single-handedly financed and organised her entire fencing season and had planned, booked and paid for every single training camp and competition.

Additionally, she revealed that she had travelled to many competitions without the assistance of her coach and had not at any point taken a physio with her during her trips, something she said was unusual and unheard of for a fencer of her calibre.

"Despite this, I have completely exhausted my recourses and built up a debt that is quite frankly threatening my existence. Contrary to the common Kenyan idea of people living in Europe I am not a rich muzungu (foreigner) that has bottomless pockets and can therefore be taken advantage of.

"I can’t afford to promote fencing in Kenya, assure visibility for the young Kenyan athletes, and the young Kenyan coaches and provide results for the officials whilst getting no support whatsoever," she went on.

Ndolo called out the Kenya Fencing Federation as well as the country's sports system for filling her with empty words and promises for the past nine months, despite them expressing their happiness to boast about their new top 10 world ranking player and a new sport which is common in developed countries.

"I am very sensitive to money problems because being the child of immigrants usually means growing up culturally richer, but financially poorer than most of your age-mates (I guess there is something about seeing or rather feeling your parents struggle that never quite leaves you).

"Publicly admitting all of this is very difficult for me, but at this point keeping quiet is taking a toll on my performance, more than any injury or heartache has ever done," she added.

A stern-talking Ndolo urged Kenya's sports system to put actions ahead of words if they really value her as a top athlete ahead of the games next year.