Athletes in Baringo have called on Athletics Kenya and other stakeholders to provide them with medical supplies and physiotherapy for injury rehabilitation.
One of them, Christopher Komen, a marathoner, said many of them struggle to return to action from injury due to lack of proper medication.
"It is very disheartening to see your peers training and competing while you are incapacitated due to injury. With the right medical attention, including physiotherapy, returning to action will be much quicker," Komen said.
Echoing his sentiments was 10,000m and 5,000m runner Josephine Wanjiku, who said many athletes have aggravated their injuries by continually training rather than spending time in recovery.
"The pain of seeing your peers running forces many to persevere through the physical anguish to join them. You find yourself limping through the training sessions because you don't have the funds to seek medical attention yet there is a burning hunger inside of you to continue doing what you love," Wanjiku said.
Closely related to medical supplies, the athletes also requested for food supplies to provide them with the requisite diet to boost and sustain their fitness levels.
Immaculate Ngetich, a 1,500m specialist, said the lack of regular supply of food prevents many of them from attaining their peak levels.
"We need enough amount of carbohydrates to give us enough energy to train. We struggle to run on empty stomachs and the lack of progress can discourage many of us from pursuing a career in athletics," Ngetich said.
She was backed up by her compatriot, Mercy Kimutai, a 5,000m and 10,000m specialist, who also called attention to female athletes' reproductive health needs.
"As girls, we need a supply of sanitary pads because we are abled differently and this is a big problem to many and they find it hard to come out and express what they are going through. We are happy that the federation is here to listen to our issues,” Kimutai said.
The athletes were speaking on Monday morning in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County during the third week of Athletics Kenya's consultative forums with stakeholders on the state of the sector.
They described the forum as timely and asked for more of the same.
"We need AK to conduct more of such visits in all the camps to keep abreast of what happens there. There are so many challenges young athletes face and it is only through such visits and deliberations that they can come to light," 2019 Africa Under 18 3,000m champion Emmanuel Kiplangat said.
