•The Committee also announced the establishment of multi-agency working groups to support the development and implementation of the strategic plan.
• The members are Jackson Tuwei, Sarah Shibutse, Brett Clothier, Hon. Magerer Langat, Barnabas Korir, Peninah Wahome, Thomas Capdevielle, and Richard Ombemba.
Image: HANDOUT
The Anti-doping Steering Committee of Kenya has proposed a raft of measures to curb the rampant spread of substance abuse.
The measures proposed in a report released on Thursday are the result of a two-day retreat held between December 13-14 last year, which brought together the Kenyan Government, the Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (‘ADAK’), and Athletics Kenya (‘AK’).
"The anti-doping retreat resulted in important resolutions which were affirmed by ADAK, AK, and the Ministry of Sports," the report read in part.
Notable among the resolutions was the proposal to set up a committee comprising members drawn from AK, ADAK, and the AIU.
"They will provide strategic guidance in the fight against doping and implement the measures set out in the report."
The members are Jackson Tuwei, Sarah Shibutse, Brett Clothier, Magerer Langat, Barnabas Korir, Peninah Wahome, Thomas Capdevielle, and Richard Ombemba.
Among the objectives the Steering Committee has outlined in the National Anti-Doping Retreat Resolutions include developing a strategic plan to address doping in Kenya using the funds dedicated by the Kenyan government and in line with the Resolutions of the National Anti-Doping Retreat (‘Resolutions’).
Image: FILE
"The Committee will equally oversee and ensure the successful implementation of the strategic plan, assign roles and responsibilities regarding the development and implementation of the strategic plan amongst relevant parties identified in the Resolutions through the formation of multi-sector working groups.
"The Committee will equally oversee and account for the expenditure of funds provided by the government in line with the relevant statutory provisions and ensure the strategic plan and its implementation are compliant with the requirements of the AIU under Rule 15 and the ADAK Anti-Doping Rules."
The Committee also announced the establishment of multi-agency working groups to support the development and implementation of the strategic plan.
"These Working Groups will be led by staff from ADAK, AK, and the AIU who will engage as required with Kenyan government agencies and other organisations to support their work."
Each working group is tasked with developing and proposing to the Steering Committee a strategy and corresponding budget in its respective domain and implementing the strategy once approved.
" The Steering Committee also disclosed plans to develop a testing plan and corresponding budget meant to scale up ADAK's capability to conduct the required number of tests in a high-quality program. This will see ADAK conduct a minimum of 3000 tests per year (up from 1000).
"We shall develop an effective whereabouts program, including facilitation of whereabouts collection and enforcement, development of the requisite results monitoring capability, development of working protocols with AK for identification of testing pools and other relevant matters, and development and implementation of the Test Distribution Plan."
The Steering Committee first met on January 20 and has been meeting almost weekly to progress its agenda. The Working Groups have already commenced their work.
"There is strong progress in all areas, but Testing is the area that is most advanced with plans developed to grow the ADAK registered testing pool for athletics from 35 athletes to over 300 in a program closely aligned with the AIU’s quality for the top international athletes. In the appendix to this Report, we enclose the first reports received so far from the Testing, Investigations & Intelligence, Legal and Education Working Groups."
The first reports from the Sports Regulation and Medical Working Groups will follow next month.