Mr President, hats off for signing Anti-Doping Bill into law

The news last week that President Uhuru Kenyatta had signed the historic Anti-Doping Bill into law, thereby, beating the May 2nd deadline set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) must have come as a big relief for the sporting fraternity.

The President made it clear that the signing of the law is not an end by itself, but rather the continuation of his government’s efforts to fight against cheating and corruption in sports.

He emphasised that Kenya is 100 per cent committed to ensuring total compliance with international regulations on sports and athletics, irrespective of whether they are set by Wada, IAAF, the International Olympic Committee or any other international organisation.

The President also said that the country is committed to ensuring that Kenyan sportsmen compete by the rules because they are more than capable of winning fairly.

And with the President’s assurance, things are no doubt back to normal. There is renewed focus as the Olympic Games approach.

SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD

Personally, I couldn’t imagine Olympics without Kenya or Kenya without the athletics team. The move by the President to fast track the Anti-Doping Bill deserves a gold medal reward.

Murmurs about how Kenya was going to be banned from the Olympic Games were not only growing with each passing day but were also very disturbing, especially to the athletes whose only source of livelihood is athletics.

Since the announcement was made, there is renewed vigour and confidence in the athletics fraternity. Good things are already happening.

The National Olympic Committee in collaboration with Athletics Kenya have picked the baton and are racing to the finish.

To start with, plans are in motion to hold athletics Olympics trials in Eldoret.

Besides, Team Kenya will also pitch camp in the Rift Valley town ahead of the Olympic Games. Track runners will train at Kip Keino Stadium and Moi University murram tracks. Marathoners will be at the usual venue in Iten, while rugby Sevens will camp at Nandi Bears.

To reciprocate the President’s gesture, the biggest reward we can give him is posting good results.

Finally, I would also like to thank the Deputy President William Ruto, Minister for Sports Dr Hassan Wario and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, who worked behind the scenes to ensure the country beat the May 2 deadline. It’s now time to focus, and we can only hope for the best.