Athletics coach Gabriel Kiptanui says that despite the Covid-19 pandemic dealing a huge blow to sports activities there is a need for athletes to remain focussed.

Reacting to the directive by  President Uhuru Kenyatta to suspend sports activities in a bid to check the virus spread, Kiptanui said that the impact of the disease on the sector will be far reaching. 

He said interruptions are psychologically affecting athletes  preparing for competitions. 

The tactician, however, called on the athletes not to lose hope but to remain focussed as they wait for resumption of sports. 

He called on athletes to train individually as they observed Ministry of Health protocols aimed at keeping the coronavirus at bay, saying social gatherings remain banned.

“We are advising athletes to strictly adhere to Ministry Health protocols and guidelines to stop virus spread while training individually or in small groups”, the Kericho-based coach said. 

He expressed optimism that the virus will soon be defeated if the people adhere to measures provided.

Kiptanui also appealed to athletes to prepare adequately for the upcoming major sports events such as the Olympics Games slated for July in Tokyo and the U20 World Athletics Championships slated for August in Nairobi.

“Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, there is  need for our athletes to prepare well enough ahead of the upcoming major sports events so that the country clinches as many medals as possible when the time comes.”