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Athletes who will be participating in the forthcoming seventh edition of Deaf Half Marathon have been urged to intensify their training ahead of the event.

Deaf Athletics Association of Kenya Public Relations Officer Tom Okiki said athletes should start early preparation to attain full fitness level.

“We have to start the preparations early, so that we hold the competition within the guidelines,” Okiki said.

The event will take place on December 6 in Nairobi and preparations are in top gear to ensure the competition takes place in accordance with the Covid-19 containment guidelines, which were rolled-out by the Ministries of Sports and Health.

Okiki said that they have already initiated talks with their stakeholders on how to stage the events in accordance with all the set protocols.

For the para-athletes, and other groups with underlying conditions, the guidelines dictate that a dedicated Covid-19 compliant training site should be established for them.

Event organisers should also put in place alternative formats of communication creating awareness on Covid-19, such as electronic information boards, braille, sign-language and enhanced signage communication.

Management of sports federations, training camps, sports academies, sports facilities and other sports institutions have been tasked with enforcement of the protocols.

“We will adhere to the containment measures when organising local events to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and for the well-being of our athletes,” assured Okiki.

Deaf athletes are among sportpersons in the country who have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As at March when the government banned sports activities in the country, they had not taken part in any competition this year.