Inside Athletics Kenya’s plan to secure a clean slate for 2025 World Championships

Inside Athletics Kenya’s plan to secure a clean slate for 2025 World Championships

Festus Chuma 07:01 - 22.11.2024

Athletics Kenya has intensified efforts to address doping and athlete welfare while celebrating the success of its youth development programs.

Doping has been a chronic wound in Kenyan athletics and stakeholders are intensifying their efforts to address the menace.

This weekend, Athletics Kenya (AK) will hold a crucial meeting with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to deliberate on policies and strategies aimed at curbing doping ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Nairobi branch chairman Barnaba Korir highlighted the collaboration between AK, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), AIU and the government as they forge ahead in this fight.

Korir acknowledged that while significant strides have been made, the evolving nature of doping calls for innovative solutions and sustained vigilance.

“This weekend we are having a meeting with the AIU to who are working closely with ADAK to ensure that the system that we are setting up now to register the athletes, coaches and every stakeholder is efficiently working so that we can network and manage those who are in athletics; and ensure that the issue of doping is dealt with properly,” said Korir in an interview with Citizen Digital.

The upcoming meeting will focus on establishing a robust framework for registering and monitoring athletes and other stakeholders, a critical step in creating accountability within the sport.

In addition to tackling doping, Korir shared optimism about the success of AK’s Youth Development Program, a project he described as a beacon of hope for the sport’s future.

The program has already produced notable champions, including 800m Olympic gold medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet, and Mary Moraa.

“We as a federation are really pleased with the way the project has grown in recent years. We are seeing the fruits of the hard work the stakeholders are putting in.

The likes of 800m Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet, Mary Moraa, and many more are products of the project. We are looking forward to more success in future,” Korir stated.

While celebrating these achievements, AK remains committed to addressing broader issues affecting athletes off the track.

Gender-based violence (GBV) cases have been on the rise among female athletes, and the federation is working to provide education and support to mitigate these incidents.

Korir reaffirmed AK’s dedication to enhancing athletes’ welfare through programs that promote financial literacy and life skills.

“AK is determined to fight the gender-based violence cases which have been on the rise among female athletes, and we have programs to achieve it, which include educating the athletes. This, also, has to do with managing their finances which is something that we continue investing in,” explained Korir.

Kenyan athletes have been a shining force globally in the 2024 season, dominating events and upholding the country’s rich legacy in athletics.

AK’s focus is now on sustaining this momentum, ensuring that both emerging and established athletes are equipped to excel on the global stage in the years to come.