Deputy President Ruto hails UNESCO anti-doping partnership

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will work with Kenya in the fight against doping that has threatened to undermine the country’s sports especially athletics.

Deputy President William Ruto announced that UNESCO will train anti-doping agents who will help in eradicating use of prohibited substances as the country seeks to maintain her place at the top of global sports.

“Doping jeopardizes moral and ethical basis of sport and the health of those involved and should be discouraged at all costs,” Ruto declared.

Speaking during the official opening of the Kenya week in UNESCO held in Paris, France on Monday the Deputy President said the move by the organization to train trainers on anti-doping was commendable.

“The partnership between Kenya and UNESCO on training of trainers on anti-doping is commendable. This is sincerely welcome development,” he added.

He said Kenya attaches great importance to sporting activities saying it will not allow the use of performance enhancing substances to ruin the career of many young athletes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) declared the country compliant with its Code on August 4 shortly before the country’s team left for the Rio 2016 Olympics where they topped the African charts by winning six gold, six silver and a bronze.

Although the country’s athletes were not banned from participating at the Olympics, the decision to declare Kenya non-compliant on May 12 despite the fast-tracked passing of the Anti-Doping Law of 2016 placed the unwanted spotlight on the nation’s revered track and field team.

Kenya got into WADA’s cross hairs after the country missed two deadlines to comply with the Code or risk her athletes being thrown out of international competition including the Olympics with over 40 athletes testing positive for banned substances since 2012.

The establishment of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya and enactment of anti-doping legislation were listed as key requirements as the anti-doping watchdog clamped down on Kenya to deal with the escalating use of proscribed drugs.