Kenya’s Sports Ministry Vows to Shut Down Doping Training Camps

Nairobi: Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has issued a stern warning against athletes’ training camps engaging in doping practices, threatening their closure. This move comes as part of a broader effort to combat the issue of doping in Kenyan sports.

According to Kenya News Agency, the careers of many innocent athletes in Kenya are being jeopardized by certain training camps, coaches, and agents who administer performance-enhancing drugs without the athletes’ knowledge. He emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating doping cases among athletes through a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies. This joint war against doping will see the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, National Government Administration officers, Police, judiciary, and other key players taking stringent actions against camps and coaches involved in doping activities.

During a press briefing at Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex, Namwamba stated, “Training camps, coaches, and agents, we are coming for you. We’ll deal with suspects like criminals.” He highlighted the importance of sports, particularly athletics, in elevating Kenya’s global reputation and noted the government’s allocation of Sh3.7 billion to address doping issues that threaten athletes’ careers.

The recent surge in doping cases among Kenyan athletes has drawn international attention, particularly following the visit of World Athletics President Lord Sebastion Coe to Kenya earlier this year. This visit came shortly after Kenya narrowly avoided a doping ban in athletics. Namwamba reassured Coe that Kenya is dedicated to ending doping in athletics, starting with grassroots sensitization and targeting upcoming champions.

Namwamba also emphasized the government’s initiatives, such as Talanta Hela, aimed at identifying and nurturing sports talents among the youth to improve their economic situations. He committed to the construction of the ‘Elite Stadium’ in Nandi County to foster youth talent in sports.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, present at the briefing, expressed disappointment over doping cases identified among athletes from his county. He urged the Sports Ministry, Kenya Anti-Doping Agency, and all involved agencies to thoroughly investigate and legally address doping syndicates. Sang also called for investigations into training camps and coaches, suggesting that those found culpable should be banned from operating in the country, and recommended that chemists and companies selling doping drugs be prohibited from doing business.

Namwamba’s visit to Nandi was part of an ongoing anti-doping sensitization campaign led by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya and the County Government, aiming to create a clean and fair environment in Kenyan sports.