The Uasin Gishu Governor, Jackson Mandago has said athletes should reveal those behind doping as such individuals deserve to be arrested and prosecuted for tainting the country’s athletics image.
Speaking during the 2019 athlete Annual Conference in Eldoret Town on Monday the Governor said it was wrong for an athlete to hide a medical doctor injecting them with illegal drugs and later abandoning them to carry their own cross.
“How can you allow your career to end and the person involved in your downfall continues to enjoy his business,”wondered Mandago who also advised athletes to be serious with their career by running and winning clean.
In his remarks, the Nandi Governor, Stephen Sang appealed to the National government to complete the construction of Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret and the other in Nandi to enable athletes conduct their training.
He noted that despite the region producing high profile athletes the region lacks sporting facilities.
The Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS), Amb. Amina Mohamed who grazed the occasion, called on athletes to refrain from doping noting that it is imperative as a top brand to promote clean sport.
“I encourage athletes to read and embrace the Anti-Doping Act 2016, the Rules and Regulations of Anti-doping and the Revised World Anti-doping code which comes into effect in 2021,” advised the CS.
It is unfortunate that Kenya has in the recent past come under global scrutiny due to increased cases of doping by unscrupulous athletes, cautioning that a single case of doping can ruin the reputation of a country.
“We must, therefore, reclaim and retain our dignity and high esteem as one of Africa’s standard-bearers in ethical sporting,” said the CS
She warned that culpable athletes, trainers, managers, agents and medical personnel will be called to account when an athlete is banned for doping, “the era of taking action against the athlete alone are long gone”.
Amina also said the Ministry of Sports has commenced an evaluation of the Sports and Anti-Doping laws and proposes that athletes who fail anti-doping tests carried out by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) be barred from representing Kenya in any competition.
By Kiptanui Cherono
