2015 offers much promise but let’s all pull together

First allow me to wish all Kenyans and especially the athletics fraternity a happy new year as we usher in 2015 today.

Yes, like any other Kenyans, we in athletics also have high expectations, or you can call them resolutions if you want.

The truth of the matter is that we have had a rough patch in 2014 and I am sure we all want to forget it in a hurry by doing the right thing in 2015.

This is one year that has been marked with wrangles with the parent federation pitted against their affiliates.

The issue of doping has also weighed in heavily, putting the country’s good name at stake.

With the country expected to host the 2017 World Youth Championships, this is the time to correct our mistakes and ensure we remain on course in preparation for the big show.

We all realize 2015 will be a busy year by athletics standards hence the reason why we should stay focused.

We are already in the cross country season that will culminate with the world championships in Guangzhou in March hence we need to be better prepared.

However, we can not pretend to be ready by sweeping all the dirt under the carpet.

We are also looking forward to the World Athletics Championships in August in Beijing, China.

This is besides the other youth and junior Africa and world events and the global relays show.

BIG SEMINAR

I suggest we put the calendar to halt and kick off the year with one big seminar that should bring together all the stakeholders around one table.

I am talking about the athletes, the federation and the government among others.

We need to look at each and every issue afresh before resuming the season. I am sure everyone wants this because the athletes who are the main stakeholders are confused and do not know what awaits them in the wake of the doping scourge.

Some have even admitted that they are naïve when it comes to issues to do with doping and perhaps a reason why they need a forum to be enlightened.

As things stand at that moment, we are all throwing barbs at them forgetting that they are the source of the national athletics pride we are enjoying at the moment.

I have said in this column before that even Athletics Kenya seem to have taken sides in this matter when they are supposed to guide the runners.

I am very concerned because I know if we allow this matter to go out of hand, then we risk becoming the laughing stock on the international scene.

We must all join hands and defend our national pride if athletics is to revive its recently lost glory.

Finally, I look forward to a fruitful 2015.

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