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Kenya: Seek Help Before It’s Too Late, AK Urges Hurting Athletes

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4 years ago

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Athletes have been suffering in silence for long with no help in sight, an Athletics Kenya (AK) National Consultative Meeting was told in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County on Wednesday.

In the third of a series of meetings lined up by Athletics Kenya across the country, it emerged at Chuka forum that even though athletes have been facing challenges in their relationships, many of them have been keeping to themselves.

AK executive in charge of women Elizabeth Keitany said that many talented athletes are from poor backgrounds and easily fall prey to people posing as though they are in a position to help kick-start their career when they are just predators taking advantage of naive girls.

“We have a big problem in addressing issues that affect female athletes. It has come to our attention that some of them are in a difficult situation today because they trusted people with ulterior motives. They are now stuck in toxic relationships because the people who ‘helped’ them returned to ask for favours in kind and this is unacceptable,” said Keitany at Chuka University in Tharaka Nithi County where the forum was held.

The official said that no one should take advantage of vulnerable runners simply because they need help. Keitany advised female athletes to seek help from the federation when they are starting out their career or they risk falling victim of people with questionable motives.

She said that come from a poor background, and despite having a talent in athletics, they need to be supported and guided to grow in the sport.

Gender-based violence popped up again as one of the problems that athletes face. Couples who are runners were advised to seek counselling to solve the problems they face.

“Since we started these forums, we have asked athletes to seek help from relevant offices to avoid being duped and dumped or even killed. It is unfortunate that last month we lost former World Cross Country Championship winner Agnes Tirop was killed,” she said.

Keitany said after concluding the consultative forums, her sub-committee members will meet and discuss how the federation can come up with a kitty to help upcoming athletes because lack of resources is a major factor in the predicament athletes are facing.

She said that the federation should designate senior, friendly chaperones to attend female athletes going through a rough patch.

“Female athletes are usually shy and they remain silent even when they are hurting. We require more chaperones and female coaches who can encourage them to open up before the situation gets worse,” said Keitany.