The Anti Doping Agency of Kenya(ADAK) has launched
its four year strategic plan and website.
The six strategic themes for the body include compliance, education, research testing, therapeutic use exemption, results management and institutional strengthening.
Adak chief executive officer Jasper Rugut said in order to implement the four-year strategic plan, the agency will require approximately Sh2.5 billion, a large portion of which will be funded through the exchequer with support from development partners.
“In order to implement this strategic plan, the agency will mobilise adequate resources from the government and development partners while at the same time ensuring prudent management of available resources,” said Rugut.
He added that, with Kenya being a sporting powerhouse in various fields, it was imperative to have plan of action and strategy going forward. “We have had cases and challenges before and our athletes have been under the microscope for the wrong reasons so, as a parastatal, it was important to come up with a plan to guide our athletes and federations to ensure we are prepared and our athletes are drug free,” added Rugut.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario said plans were underway to establish a national anti-doping agency laboratory in conjunction with some of the leading hospitals in the country.
“We have to work with speed and ensure a laboratory is up and running. I have talked to my Principal Secretary to get in touch to the top hospitals and see what can be done,” said Wario.
He added that there will be strict monitoring of athletes’ training camps and high altitude venues in conjunction with Athletics Kenya. “The government, alongside Athletics Kenya, will see to it that the camps in th Rift Valley and other parts of the country are monitored and that the managers who come to our country are monitored to ensure that our athletes do not take the banned substances,” added Wario.
Wario said Kenya cannot afford any more embarrassments in regards to doping: “We have robust legislation and given Adak teeth to bite but much more needs to be done to educate our athletes and show the world that we have clean athletes.”
Wario added that athletes who fail to abide by the Anti Doping Act of 2016 will be suspended and banned from representing the country at whatever level of competition.