By Naomi Cheruiyot
Athletics Kenya (AK) has trained 44 women’s coaches to mentor and shield young girls joining athletics, as a nationwide effort to avoid gender-based violence (GBV) and ensure a safer world in the sport industry.
Speaking during the National Cross Country Championship in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei outlined that the project seeks to empower women sports leaders who can identify and resolve issues facing female athletes.
“The women coaches will help in achieving the challenges which confront young women in sports and towards putting in place lasting solutions that ensure safety and equity in the sport,” said Tuwei.
He indicated that AK remains committed to promoting integrity and equality in athletics and that women coaches will help improve mentorship programs and athletes’ welfare across the country.
Tuwei also addressed the perennial issue of age cheating, calling upon the Ministry of Education to collaborate more with Athletics Kenya in verifying athletes’ academic certificates while they are still in school.
“We are requesting the Ministry of Education to help us verify the authenticity of students’ certificates early enough so that we can completely eliminate age cheating in athletics,” he pleaded.
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On the issue of doping, the AK President issued a tough warning to athletes who engage in the use of illegal drugs, pointing out that the vice not only destroys people’s reputations but also Kenya’s international image.
“Dopers will never be accorded any chance. Doping destroys not only the name of an athlete but also the name of our country,” warned Tuwei.
Even as the nation’s athletics fraternity gears up for the upcoming World Championships in Florida, USA, Tuwei wished Team Kenya all the best, expressing confidence that the athletes would not disappoint the nation but uphold the country’s rich tradition of excellence and integrity in athletics.
“We wish our team all the best as they represent Kenya in Florida. We believe they will make us proud and fly our flag high,” he added.
The National Cross Country Championship drew hundreds of athletes and actors in the sport, reasserting AK’s continued emphasis on talent nurturing, discipline, and the safeguarding of athletes against abuse and exploitation.
