Former Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono has urged Athletics Kenya to increase the number of female coaches in the South Rift region.

During an Athletics Kenya national consultative forum at  Kericho’s Moi’s Gardens, Cherono said male coaches dominate the field but a high number of female athletes originate from the region.

“We have great talent in this region and a good number of junior athletes hail from this region but most of the coaches who assist them are male. The federation should bring on board more women coaches because girls have many issues and it’s hard for them to air them out to a  male coach,” said Cherono.

She further advised athletes to be focused and asked them to always involve parents in their careers to help them steer clear of issues  that throw them off track along the way.  

“As athletes we need to fear God, respect your parents, be focused and respect your coach. All these go together. Those suffering should always come out and talk because there is no need to bury yourself in problems,” she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Caroline Kilel, a marathoner, who said families should always come together, discuss marital problems and find solutions without fighting.

“I have been in the sport for a long time and married at the same time. We need to be disciplined and avoid bad company and have the right coaches who will be able to train upcoming athletes which in the end must bring good results,” Kilel said.

Wise investment

Meanwhile, AK Youth Development director Barnaba Korir said athletes should be creative and invest wisely.

“Life on the track is short and athletes need to use their money wisely and avoid bad company. We have a lot of athletes who are now drinking heavily and we need to make them aware that they are heading in the wrong direction and need to change and such forums will open their eyes,” Korir said.

Korir added that they are aware of cases of sexual harassment of young female athletes and warned of dire consequences for coaches found culpable.

He added that the federation will look into affairs of the coaches, which have been brought forward since the forums started in Ngong, Kajiado County, last week.

The next forum shall be held in Keringet, Nakuru County, before taking a break until next week.