Athletics Kenya Embu officials want tough measures on dopers

Athletics stakeholders in Embu County want stiffer penalties for dopers to protect young ath;etes.

Stephen Njeru called on the parliament to pass a law that see those cause doping to win in athletics jailed saying the obvious ban from athletics was not enough.

Njeru noted this was only the way to block youth from using drugs in athletics.

Speaking during the under 20 team selection at the University of Embu grounds, Njeru gave a warning to sports men in Mt Kenya East not to consume Miraa since it had some substances that are not allowed in athletics.

The athletics chair further said the athletes should desist from over counter drugs saying some drugs had substances that can subject someone to ban in athletics.

The Secretary Kenya Secondary School sports Association Elijah Kiarie observed that the athletics initiative between Athletics Kenya and Embu County will go along way to nurture and grow upcoming talents who will now have a permanent training camp.

He noted that the Secondary School does not have standard ground for practice and the professional coaching knowledge adding that the schools will benefit from this.

Kiarie noted that Embu county will now be able to compete with other counties that have embraced such initiatives.

He challenged school heads to take advantage of the initiative to ensure that students participating in the sports get professional coaching and exposure.

Embu County is in the process of selecting a team from all sub counties to compete in the County champions where a team will be selected for the regional championships.

The Athletics Kenya in the county expressed optimism that they will also get a team that will represent the county in Hungary world championship.

Kelvin Muriki said his focus is to hit 45 seconds in the two lap, 400 metres race.

He said his best time now is 47 and he is focusing to make it real.