Athletes lose money in fake college plan
By Emmnauel Masinde
Many young athletes have lost money to unscrupulous agents and coaches who promise them scholarships.
Speaking during Athletics Kenya consultative meeting in Straberg, Uasin Gishu County, yesterday, Goodwin Shinaali said there are many young runners who have parted money to agents on being promised they will travel abroad as student athletes.
“One can pay up to Sh120,000 without securing an opportunity,” said Shinaali who urged the government to help bring to book the culprits.
Olympian Lawrence Cherono said many athletes have personal and management challenges and thanked Athletics Kenya for providing the forum for athletes to air their grievances.
Cherono said coaches who mess up the careers of successful athletes and budding runners need to be guided while they are still young on how to handle fame and money.
Another runner Janet Ruguru said athletes should be careful and choose their friends well to safeguard their hard-earned wealth.
“Fellow athletes must be very diligent in who they interact. I encourage people to talk out and record what happens as evidence,” said Ruguru.
Central Rift region AK branch secretary general Kennedy Tanui said there are three major challenges they need to tackle.
“Athletes have expressed a lot about social relations and exploitation by fake coaches and agents. We also lack proper infrastructure as a region for athletes to train and we will sit down at the end of all consultative meetings and take the findings forward,” said Tanui.
“We are in the third week and we have managed to get many issues resolved because the federation will have to act on some issues immediately while others will be looked into and forwarded to the Ministry of Sports,” said Kimetto.
The next session will be held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
