Africa-Press – Kenya. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei wants the doping menace dealt with once and for all to revive the country’s old good days in athletics.
Cherargei warned that many athletes especially in the Rift Valley stand to suffer if the country is banned over the escalating cases of doping.
Charargei was speaking at his Nairobi office at the KICC during a media briefing ahead of the second edition of the annual Heroes tournament.
He said the perpetrators of the doping menace must be answerable and criminal proceedings opened against them if one is found guilty.
“If Kenya will be banned, poverty levels in Rift Valley will increase because 90 percent of the youth in the region depend on athletics and other sports for a living. This will definitely lead to more criminal cases that will only taint the country’s name.”
He added: “It is high time we vetted foreign coaches who work with our clubs and national teams if we have to curb doping. We have our fingers crossed that WA won’t do the worst.”
Cherargei is the main sponsor of the Heroes tournament. Others are Yokora Sports, Sportpesa, Coca-Cola, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Reale Hospital, Nairobi Sports House, Equity Bank and Keroche Breweries.
The competition will be held on December 9-10 at Koitalel Arap Samoei University in Nandi County. The inaugural championship last year attracted 88 teams and the organizers expect the number to rise to 100.
“We will have scouts during the tournament. We will also plant over 300 trees after Kenya Forest Service extended a kind gesture. Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya ADAK will provide capacity building during the period. 10 heroes composed of former players will be feted,” Cherargei added.
The event’s patron Paul Bitok said the event has turned into a national competition. “Last year, it was a community tournament but with almost all national league teams confirming participation, it will be a countrywide event. We are making baby steps but I believe we are in the right direction.”
He added: “Coaching and referees courses will precede the event.”
So far a total of Sh300,000 had been contributed while corporates have submitted their donations in kind. The top three teams will receive cash awards together with trophies.
David Kilundo, who is vying for the KVF presidency said: “KVF are committed to the growth of the game by partnering with schools to unearth the talent. Cheptil and Kwanthanze will represent Kenya in next year’s Africa School Games in Morocco and that shows the depth of talent we have.”
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