Athletics Kenya have introduced a raft of measures in a frantic bid to contain the rising cases of athletes using banned substances.
In a strong statement issued on Monday, the AK said it will launch its most potent weapons to wage permanent war against all suspected agents of doping in the country.
“As the national federation in charge of the sport in Kenya, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to weeding out the vice of doping in the country,” the statement read in part.
“Athletics Kenya will maintain its no-holds-barred fight against the use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances to jealously guard the gains Kenyan athletics has made since Naftali Temu became the first Kenyan to win an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1968 Games in Mexico.”
AK promised to use a multi-sectoral investigation involving the police, medical authorities and the immigration department to identify the culprits behind the use of muscle-enhancing drugs.
“We urge you all to join in this fight by reporting any suspicious activities among athletes, coaches, medics and others abetting doping to the nearest police station, or indeed any Athletics Kenya office,” AK said.
The national governing body expressed hope that joint efforts between the country and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) would bring the desired results.
“We support the AIU’s concerns and efforts to ensure that athletics remains synonymous with integrity and fairness.
AK took great exception to the recent doping scandals involving Kenya where up to 25 of the country’s athletes have been banned for violating anti-doping rules this year alone.
Only last month, the AIU raised a red flag on a negative Analytical Finding that pointed to the increased use of triamcinolone and acetonide among Kenyan athletes.
“Kenya has come a long way in building her reputation as a powerhouse in track and field through the achievements of our legends, from the pioneers, including Kipchoge Keino and Naftali Temu to the present-day stars such as Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon.”
AK said they will continue to lead a continuous campaign to ensure the use of performance-enhancing drugs is a thing of the past through cooperation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), AIU and World Athletics in the investigation.
“In the past week, for instance, AK have undertaken a countrywide initiative to meet various coaches and athletes to equip them with skills and knowledge that will aid in the fight against doping.
“In equal measure, we have also put in place stringent measures to prevent athletes from falling prey to unscrupulous coaches and managers,” AK said.
They added: “We want to ensure that our athletes are insulated from rogue agents and coaches and take this opportunity to thank the Sports Cabinet Secretary-designate, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, for undertaking to join the war against doping.”
During a session in Parliament held to vet him for the CS position, Namwamba expressed his concern about the disturbing trend.
“Kenya is in a state of doping crisis. This year alone, there have been no less than 30 cases of doping which is threatening to shatter the very fine and glittering image of Kenya as a sporting nation.”
AK thanked the outgoing CS Amina Mohamed for her efforts in ensuring compliance with the global anti-doping requirements.
