Breaking News: At least 10 feared to have drowned in Makueni river

AK’s new strategy to curb cheats

PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Kenya Commercial Bank Group Chief Executive Officer Martin Odour-Otieno flanked by Marketing and Communication manager Angela Mwirigi (right) hands over a dummy cheque of Kshs 10.6 Million to Athletics Kenya Chairman Isaiah Kiplagat and David Okeyo on October 23, 2012 as sponsorship for National Cross Country Championship cum trials at The Stanley Hotel.

What you need to know:

  • AK president Isaiah Kiplagat has also said the association will used part of the Sh10.6m sponsorship from KCB for this season’s cross country to purchase an anti-doping kit
  • Kiplagat said the anti-doping exercise will be done in at least three events this season and during the Kenya CB National Cross Country Championships on February 16 next year
  • Kiplagat was speaking on Tuesday before the launch the seven-leg series by KCB Group CEO Martin Oduor-Otieno at The Stanley Hotel

Athletics Kenya (AK) will introduce doping control at the 2012/2013 Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) National Cross Country Championships set to begin on November 3 in Central region.

AK president Isaiah Kiplagat has also said the association will used part of the Sh10.6m sponsorship from KCB for this season’s cross country to purchase an anti-doping kit.

Kiplagat said the anti-doping exercise will be done in at least three events this season and during the KCB National Cross Country Championships on February 16 next year. (Read: NYENDE: Welcome Wada, and let’s unearth the Kenyan cheats, if any)

Also Read

“We want to acquire the kit so as to have an anti-doping exercise in every competition,” Kiplagat said. “We want athletics to be clean and to ensure our runners come out clean in every major international race.”

Kiplagat was speaking on Tuesday before the launch the seven-leg series by KCB Group CEO Martin Oduor-Otieno at The Stanley Hotel.

Kiplagat reiterated that foreign coaches, agents and journalists who intend to engage local athletes must seek clearance with the federation and the ministry of sports.

“We won’t allow them to roam around investigating, doing research and interviews on our athletes and publishing unsubstantiated claims that injure our reputation,” Kiplagat explained.

“It’s the practice worldwide. For instance, a journalist can’t go to Italy, carrying around cameras without clearance. He will be arrested. We, too, have rules to be followed.”

KCB has increased its sponsorship for the season from Sh7.2m last year to Sh10.6 million. Oduor-Otieno said Sh5.3 million will go towards prize money, including Sh1.2 million for the jackpot and Sh4m for publicity.

KCB has also set aside Sh1.4 million for the KCB National Cross Country Championships.

In the headlines