Dope at your own risk, ADAK warns youths

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has warned youths from over 20 counties taking part in the 6th edition of the Kenya Youth Inter-Counties Sports Association (KYISA) games over the consequences of doping.

The games which include football, volleyball and basketball for both boys and girls began Monday  in Busia County.

Officers from the anti-doping body including Kennedy Mwai, Daniel Ndungu, Walter Omwenga, Rooney Sumba, Dr Festus Kiplamai and Tim Ngugi took the players and officials through the 11 stages of doping control and inherent dangers.

Athletes were trained and implored to comply with all anti-doping policies and rules.

“Economic consequences of indulging in prohibitive substances include loss of sponsorship and income with social consequences being isolation from peers and damaged relations with friends and family among others,” Ngugi told the athletes during the training.

Onwenga said that doping has dented Kenya’s image, adding that World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) prohibit list of banned substances includes  steroids, insulin , stimulants, narcotics, cannabis, , human growth hormone and Epo (Erythropoietin) that gives rise to hypertension and risk of heart attack.

ADAK also advised the athletes to desist from consuming food supplements since most of them are not regulated thus can contain steroids samples.