Adak singles out whereabouts in fight against doping

Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) has urged local athletes to comply with the whereabouts rule, saying it was still a major sticking point in the war against doping.

Speaking on Friday during a seminar attended by sports journalists in Diani, Kwale County, Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya's acting CEO Sarah Shibutse also said the media plays a critical role in making sure athletes in the testing pool get the right information with regard to testing.

“Our athletes will do well to comply with the wherebouts rule. The media has always played a major role to make sure athletes understand the need to follow the simple rules of updating their whereabouts. The window period that an athlete gave is important and this what the Doping Control Officers follow all the time,” said Shibutse.

She lamented that despite educating athletes on doping issues, many were still reluctant to update their whereabouts, leading to unnecessary suspensions for a minor offences that could have been avoided.

Due to rampant doping cases, the World Anti-Doping Agency has classified Kenya as category 'A' country.

She also urged athletes to view Adak officials as people who care about their welfare, and to  always do the right thing.

“Some of the athletes have a lot of fear. Because they always interact with the media, it is important that we bring the media up to speed on the doping requirements  which will also help athletes when they get it from them,” she added.

ADAK said that since August 2016 to June 2022, it has reached more than 104, 425 people in terms of education and they are still targeting some more as one way of eradicating the menace.

She also touched on testing charges which she said that it costs up to 400 dollars for one test and that is why the body selects few top athletes who are put in a pool of testing.

Three tests are being done to athletes before the major events which is a global requirement especially for those who will be competing in the Olympic Games and World Championships. 

Wada has classified Kenya in Category 'A' of countries with high doping cases.

Sports Journalist Association of Kenya President Chris Mbaisi said that it's important for journalists to be taken through the various issues that Adak has been doing so that athletes can get the right information. 

"We are the right people to work with Adak and make sure that we pass the right information to the athletes who usually come to us when they run into problems. We need to hold hands together and make sure that we pull Kenya out of category A and we should not leave that to the Federation alone," said Mbaisi. 

Adak has so far handled 170 cases involving athletes who disclosed where they got banned substances and so far 152 cases have been closed.