By Richard Kabaraji
The government has rolled out an anti-doping education initiative targeting teen athletes. This is part of efforts to weed out the menace that has in the recent years been threatening the flourishing athletic record Kenya holds.
Speaking during a talent search event in Trans Nzoia County, Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) Athletics Enhanced Anti-Doping Program Steering Committee chairperson Wesley Korir said they are working with other stakeholders to see to it that they teach upcoming athletes the effects of the vice.
“Doping is a menace, a big problem and a disaster. But as we are tackling the monster in the room, let’s put all our efforts together to teach this youngsters on the disadvantages of using banned substances and how it will affect their careers,” Korir said.
“We want to show them that they can run clean,” he added.
Aside from teaching the young athletes on the effects on doping, the anti-doping agency boss says they have also partnered with other stakeholders them on how to manage their careers.
“We want to teach these children as young as they are on doping, money literacy and education so we produce a professional athlete,” noted the former Boston Marathon champion.
“This is why we have entered into schools partnering with the ministries of education and sports to identify and nurture this talents early,” he added.
Sports Academies
Meanwhile, the Kenya Academy of Sports has revealed that they are in the progress of partnering with sports academies across the country in a move that seeks to spur sports.
The organization has already partnered with Trans Nzoia-based Transcend Academy where 30 athletes join for a four-year scholarship.
“We are mandated to start and manage sports academies across the country and in Trans Nzoia, we will help Transcend to get and train coaches for the children as well as sponsoring the athletes through their school life,” noted Doreen Odhiambo, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Academy of Sports.
Various corporate organizations have already expressed interest in supporting sports.
Stephen Matee of KCB Foundation noted that they have since changed tact and were focusing on not only education but also sports in their scholarships program
“We as KCB Foundation are scouting for 50 athletes to join various sports academies under the niche of gifted and talented. Those who will qualify will join centers of excellence,” Matee said.
“In the past we concentrated on education and other community projects like tree planting but now we will also include sporting activities in a bid to uplift talents among the hundreds of youths,” said KCB Kitale branch manager Hillary Sitienei.
During the talent search, over 700 youths turned up to before for the available slots.
