Muhiddin blames coaches for doping menace

Bandari FC Coach Twahir Muhiddin has blamed coaches and trainers for letting the doping issue turn scandalous saying that had they been more responsible then the future of Kenya’s athletics would be clearer than it currently is.

In the face of World Anti-doping Agency’s (WADA) impending decision to declare Kenya non-compliant after missing a second deadline on Tuesday opening the possibility of a international competition ban, the tactician called on the international body to develop structures that will only punish individuals.

The former Harambee Stars boss warned Kenyan athletes against the use of drugs to enhance performance, saying it is poor sportsmanship and could have adverse health effects.

Muhiddin adds that although the world of football has over the years managed to stay clear of doping scandals, he has always led advocacy against the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) especially among his players.

“During my time in charge of Stars the WADA medical team would conduct random tests on players especially during the 2004 AFCON. There was no bias and honestly I don’t think Kenyan footballers engage in doping,” he said.

Muhiddin recalls that during his coaching stint at Oserian FC in the early 2000’s, at a time when the use of PEDs was slowing trickling into the world of sport, he would spend hours condemning ‘short cuts’ urging his players to instead eat healthy natural foods and train harder.

“I used to hear that these drugs are available cheaply at local outlets and supermarkets. For me, I think the fight against doping should start there; get these drugs out of reach,” he recommended.

The 2015 GOtv shield winner urged athletes to always be watchful of what they consume saying that for some malicious reason, various cook-outs and eating joints add PEDs to their food.

“Sometimes you just don’t know. You undergo their tests and when you’re told you tested positive you start doubting their mechanisms. For sportsmen it’s only fair that you eat at places you trust,” he added.

Muhiddin cited the greed for instant success as the main reason the world of sports has badly been hit by the doping issue and urged athletes’ trainers and coaches to be at the forefront of fighting the disgraceful practice.

At the same time, Kenyan Premier League (KPL) chairman Ambrose Rachier also distanced football from any connections with doping with the Gor Mahia chief insisting they have not received any cases.

“Many complains in the doping issue is with athletics .We have not heard any case in football, we are on high alert in case such cases arise but as a matter of fact there is no such case in Kenyan football,” he stressed.

The renowned lawyer added that doping is a matter of international concern for every sport and they will do their best at KPL to cube the vice just in case it crops in football.

And the Kenya Volleyball Federation chairman Waithaka Kioni echoed Rachier’s statement insisting his sport is clean.

“Being a federation it’s something that should concern us for the purpose of the future. Every time we participate in international events either as host or as visitors the African Volleyball Federation does the doping control. We don’t do any doping.

“All our players  especially those participation in international events there is an online training program on matters doping  that they have to comply,” Kioni underscored.

-Government letdown-

The deputy majority whip conceded the house should have done better to safeguard Kenya’s image in the international arena as the doping cases continue to rise globally with Kenya at the centre of focus.

”I am aware our athletes may not participate in this year’s event because of the anti-doping agency that we have not put in place as a government, and this is very disheartening because the effort was delayed by our Committee of Labour which did not bring the report in time in the parliament,” regretted Washiali.

”The speaker is trying to fast track it, am sure that once we come out of recess we will be able to fast track it so that we can be compliant, with the international standards of addressing this issue of anti-doping.”

“I know there was a delay also from our side as a Government that we should have done better because this has been waiting, our colleagues some of them who are athletes have been complaining day in day out in parliament but it is unfortunate that irrespective of all this support, we have not been able to meet the timeline.

“I just hope this should be a learning lesson to any other government department to some work does it in good time so that we do not let down our Kenyans, our country, as we have done this time round,”’ observed the law maker.

“I see it as a big challenge because Athletics Kenya and the Government have been playing blame games. If Parliament has passed the bill on time, we would be sure about our athletes’ future and give them time to prepare for the Rio 2016 games,” the Public Relations Officer of Nyandarua County, Moses Kuria added.

“Right now our athletes are very worried not been sure if Kenya will be declared non compliant or what might happen next. The government has been reluctant particularly in the sport. I am not sure if the Ministry’s problem is just being reluctant or they just decided not to table the bill on time.

“Kenya has been on the high waves for doing well in athletics and the ban will really display a very poor image globally been placed at the same level with Russia. I urge the government to request some time and also act quickly to see the bill passed,” the County official opined.

Report by Geoffrey Mwamburi, John Kyanda, Jacob Icia and Paul Kimani