The Plans to construct a laboratory in Eldoret a World Antidoping Agency, WADA, will enhance the Anti-doping Agency of Kenya, ADAK efforts in fighting doping.
Subscribe to Switch TV for more exciting content
The laboratory will help the ADAK increase sample collection and educational programmes as confirmed by Bildad Rogoncho head of legal services at ADAK.
“ We are looking at increasing our anti-doping programmes to the levels that will enable WADA to grant us to go ahead to establish an accredited laboratory in the country I believe that KEMRI is handling that they looking at setting up the laboratory in Eldoret” revealed Bildad Rogoncho, head of legal services at ADAK.
Read Also: Argentina tops FIFA world ranking after a six-year gap as Brazil drop
Rogoncho however warned that setting up the laboratory alone will not be enough in dealing with the use of the banned substances.
“Remember setting up a WADA-accredited laboratory is very expensive because of the machines that are required to analyze the samples and the kind of tests to be done remember after setting up the laboratory WADA will continuously monitor the laboratory so that in case of any deviation from the International standards will render that laboratory useless to the country”
“This Money will go a long way in enhancing the fight against doping through the increased sample collection, we will increase our education programs and one of the areas we want to enhance more effectively is the intelligence gathering and investigations department and create a bigger team that will be able to give us information that we want” reasoned Rogoncho.
Read Also: Frank Lampard to return as Chelsea Caretaker manager until the end of the season
Rogoncho who was speaking to KBC Digital Sports in Naivasha clarified that the law only allowed the agency to charge the athlete and not for the banned substance.
“All the offences that are contained under section 42 of the Act do not touch on the athlete. They either touch on the athletes’ support personnel or any other who gets engaged in those offences. The act only points to the athlete and not the presence of the banned substance” Rogoncho noted.
However, those who abet doping through trafficking, administration and presentation of false documents are liable to criminal charges.
Read Also: Back to back hat-trick for Benzema as Real Madrid edge Barcelona to reach Copa del Rey final
Kenya, a world-renowned powerhouse in middle and long-distance running has been buffeted by an increasing number of athletes who cheat with the Athletics Integrity Unit reporting 55 cases in the country in 2022.
Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is expected to conduct testing as the country is on the brink of being banned from global activities for flouting anti-doping rules.
AIU chief executive officer Brett Clothier said the country was on the edge of being banned but the arbitration from the national government and Athletics Kenya saved the situation.
The AIU is to hire an official who will be based in Eldoret and working under Adak.
The AIU is expected to hire an official who will be based in Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County and will be working under the Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (Adak).
Subscribe to Switch TV for more exciting content
However, Singapore Marathon champion Esther Macharia is one of the victims who AIU has provisionally suspended after she tested positive for the banned substance, testosterone.
