Sports CS commits at ensuring gender equality in Sports

Sports Cabinet Secretary Dr Amina Mohamed has affirmed her commitment in support of efforts aimed at promoting fight against gender-based violence, plus make sport safer and more inclusive.

Gender equality in sport means breaking down the harmful stereotypes that continue to make women less likely to take up sporting activities. It also means promoting women’s advancement as professional athletes and leaders in the sport sector.

The CS was speaking during the official opening of Agnes Tirop World Cross country tour being held at the Lobo village in Eldoret.

The event is taking place in honour of celebrated long distance runner Agnes Tirop, who was stabbed to death at her home at the age of 25 in October last year.

Her husband Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich has been charged with her murder and has pleaded not guilty in court.

“Attaining gender equity in sports is a pre-condition for levelling the playing field and advancing inclusivity in the sports industry,” she was quoted.

“We agreed a few weeks ago that we are going to meet in 100 days’ time and at that time we will take stock of where we are, of how many of the recommendations made in the the Gender Welfare and Equity in Sports report has been implemented or are being implemented.” she further added.

Tirop was twice a bronze medallist in the women’s 10,000 metres at the World Athletics Championships, and in September last year broke the women’s-only 10 kilometres world record with a time of 30min 1sec in Herzogenaurach in Germany.

The Kapseret competition is one of the 20 events in the World Cross Country Tour that World Athletics introduced in October last year having been named in honour of the departed athlete.

The Tour has 20 events comprising 15 gold, two silver and three bronze. The Agnes Tirop race is the 12th leg of the Tour. The cream of long distance runners has descended on Eldoret to battle it out for top honours.

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