NAIROBI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ignorance is the biggest contributor to rising doping cases in Kenya as the distance running global powerhouse battles to clear the sport of the vice that threatens to erode its established tradition, according to leading local figures in the sport.
A seminar organised by Athletics Kenya (AK) in the northern town and talent heartland of Eldoret on Monday saw federation bosses and elite athletes concur on the reason behind the spike in doping that has seen 49 runners suspended for substance abuse in the last five years.
This has led Kenya to remain in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) watch list for the second year in a row with AK rolling out an initiative with world governing body IAAF that is aimed at stamping out the menace.
During the gathering where 108 elite athletes were in attendance, participants agreed lack of knowledge on rules and regulation governing substance abuse as well as the WADA anti-doping process had seen a majority of sanctioned runners fall victim to doping violations.
Under the IAAF backed programme a team of six medics from Kenya Doctors Network (KDN) will vet the country's athletes before they are allowed to compete abroad to clear them of doping.
The plan is backed by the Anti Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) that was declared Non-Complaint with the WADA Code last year before it was lifted just before the start of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games where Kenya went on to excel in track and field, posting their best ever performance of six gold, six silver and a bronze.
"We saw it fit to have all athletes in such a seminar so that we familiarise ourselves on laws and regulations of doping. We could not do it on mainstream or social media because we wanted to get information to you directly," AK President, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei, quoted on local media, said.
Olympic and London marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge led a slew of top athletes in reiterating their support the move to use the KDN in fighting the doping scourge.
"For many years there have been no guidelines for athletes and that is the reason some have been caught using banned substances knowingly and unknowingly," Kipchoge who is among three athletes who will attempt to run the marathon in under two hours added.
"Athletes should train hard to make sure we compete clean and win what belongs to us. Let us avoid any temptation for we are known as a powerhouse in athletics," the two-time London winner added.
Edna Kiplagat, a two-time world women marathon champion added the new programme will ensure athletes to commit and adhere to set rules as she cited the unregulated buying of over-the-counter drugs to treat common ailments as one of the courses.
"The whole world is watching Kenyan athletes on doping and this is a great move. We have signed the medical regulations and they are good for Kenya," Kiplagat added.
Alfred Kirwa who won gold at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka and bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing expressed concern the six doctors seconded to the athletes would not cope with the huge number of active runners in the country.
AK boss Tuwei allayed the concerns saying the initiative is a pilot project and other medics from the Network would be added in due course.
"IAAF gave the country three conditions, one to expose all chemists doing the same and we have therefore, called you here to show you how serious is the issue of doping in the country is," he added.
He said the programme would be operating within the next seven days as Kenya scrambles to be struck off the WADA watch list.
