AK steps up anti-doping campaign among junior athletes

Athletics Kenya has stepped up anti-doping campaign targeting athletes aged under 20 years across the country.

The campaign targeting junior and youth athletes comes in the wake of increasing anti-doping violations by Kenyan athletes.

At least 30 athletes have been suspended or banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit since the beginning of the year over anti-doping violations.

On Wednesday, AK and AIU sensitised athletes from Kisii and Nyamira counties on the effects of doping and encouraged them to run clean.

During the one-day forum at St Vincent Pastoral Center, more than 80 athletes were also cautioned against age cheating and financial management.

“There is increasing concern over doping in Kenya. The country is on the WADA watch list. As upcoming athletes, don’t get involved in this vice,” said AK Youth Committee chairman Barnabas Korir .

 AK Athletes Representative Milcah Chemos said: “There is growing concern over doping in Kenya that is why we have decided to involve the upcoming athletes in this war. Each and every day when we wake up, AIU bans one or two Kenyan athletes.”

“This anti-doping awareness is timely for the youth. With this kind of training, I’m confident we shall control this menace,” added national youth and junior coach Robert Ngisirei.

Coaches and athletes welcomed the training saying it has come at the right time.

Jenga Talanta International Sports Club coach Fredrick Rioba said: “This is a very good initiative. This program should be taken to primary schools. As a coach, I want to thank AK for organising this training.”

His sentiments were echoed by sprinter Sarah Orobi. She said: “We always read in the papers about athletes being banned for anti-doping violations. We didn’t know about the violations until today. We have learnt a lot.”

Retired athlete and coach at Boruma Secondary School Valentine Orare observed: “The future of athletics is in the junior athletes. We must address this doping menace by sensitizing the athletes. We want the training sessions taken up to the sub-county levels.”

He asked AK and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya to team up with counties in the fight against the menace.