Athletics coaches have applauded the government’s intensified anti-doping crackdown, saying continued countrywide sensitisation efforts led by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) are a timely response to a menace that has severely dented Kenya’s global athletics reputation.

Paul Kemei and Gabriel Kiptanui observed that the menace has become a thorn in the flesh of sports, hence the need to pool resources and join efforts among concerned sectors to eliminate it.

The duo said efforts ADAK to step up its game, demonstrated by traversing several parts of the country to hold sensitisation meetings with upcoming sportspersons, games teachers, schoolchildren, coaches, among others, are a welcome move.

Speaking separately, the coaches said ADAK’s campaign should continue until the menace is fully eradicated, adding that doping among Kenyan athletes has tarnished the country’s name to the extent that Kenya has been placed in Category A.

“Organising sensitisation meetings on the dangers of doping in sports is a good move, and we therefore commend ADAK for this. This is a serious matter and should be completely stamped out in sports,” added Kemei of Lemotit Athletics Camp.

Last month, ADAK held several sensitisation meetings on the dangers of doping in sports at various locations in Kericho County, where over 600 upcoming sportspersons and over 200 school games teachers were educated on the subject.

ADAK Head of Education and Research Dr Martin Yauma led the team during the sensitisation meetings in Kericho County.

The athletics coaches explained that all sportspersons need to understand what must be done or avoided to steer clear of performance-enhancing substances that could result in doping violations.

“We all oppose doping in sports because we want our athletes to compete on equal footing with the rest of the world in major competitions,” said AK Kericho branch Vice Chairman Kiptanui.

Kemei and Kiptanui also suggested that foreigners could be luring Kenyan athletes into doping in a bid to tarnish the country’s reputation in athletics.

“I am not ruling out the hand of foreigners in this, possibly aiming to ruin our country’s good name in the sports arena. I urge our athletes, coaches, and managers to be vigilant so they don’t fall prey to doping,” Kemei stated.

They called on sportsmen and women to train hard and be patient in order to succeed in their careers, warning that shortcuts will not only damage their dreams of being celebrated athletes but also pose serious health risks.