Focus on all elements of athlete welfare

I want to concur with the recent sentiments voiced by Betty Kiplagat, daughter of the late former Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat on the athletes’ mentorship programme.

She was categorical that the issue of athletes’ mental preparedness will be part and parcel of the I.F Kiplagat Ndalat Gaa Cross Country in line with enriching the legacy left by their father – the founder of the event - who died two years ago.

According to her, organisers of the race will focus on components of athlete welfare that are sometimes overlooked including personal awareness, personality development and emotional intelligence.

Indeed, as she said, when you look at the history of most of our athletes, you will realise that there is part of a journey that was either neglected or missed.

What I am saying is that it is not just enough to run, more is required especially in a society where the athletes have millions of followers who look up to them both as role models and brands.

It is, therefore, important to start inculcating the most important virtues in an athlete early enough. So why not start at a forum such as the ‘Kids athletics’ in Ndalat?

Judging from what has been happening with some of our top stars, we need to create all-rounded athletes who are able to set their own goals, understand what they want in life and act as role models.

We want athletes who will look beyond their careers and be relevant even after they retire from the track. We want athletes who dream big and believe they can achieve.

Betty is willing to start the mentorship programme with 30 kids, who will be picked based on performance in Ndalat race this weekend. The junior athletes, according to her, will be taken through the programme by professionals and fellow athletes who will act as their role models.

This is very important considering that we have very few runners who have cultivated themselves enough and can now claim to be brands. We really like it when these athletes fly Kenya’s flag high abroad but we should also be pleased to see them shine beyond their careers.

We do not want to talk about stories of “Grace to Grass’ later in life.

Some of the athletes who ran for this country are living in squalor and it is important to intervene and avoid scenarios where rescue is necessary later.

And as we wait for Betty and Ndalat Gaa organisers to roll out the programme this weekend, we hope the elite runners from the North Rift will give her the necessary support.