Retired athlete Philip Muia has urged Athletics Kenya (AK) to give a chance to Ferdinand Omanyala to promote sprints in the country.
Muia said Omanyala, just like any other person, made a mistake and served his ‘sentence’ and now that he is free he can compete.
“It is not fair for the federation to give him (Omanyala) a chance in his career. He was banned but he served his sentence and he should be given a chance to represent the country,” said Muia.
Omanyala, one of the recent Kenyan best sprinters was eliminated from the World Relays Championships in Selesia, Poland from May 1st to 2nd and will not get an opportunity to represent the country at the rescheduled Olympic Games.
“As we speak, he is the only Kenyan runner to have qualified for Olympic Games but due to his past, he cannot represent the country. That is not fair and in my opinion, he has to be handed another chance,” added Muia.
AK announced that anybody, who has been banned for violating anti-doping regulations will not wear the national colours to represent the country in any championships and that has come to hound the university student who has had a tremendous year running the best time in Kenya.
“We have a challenge in sprints as a country and Omanyala can be a savior in other events. He has already qualified in 100m and no one has done it,” explained Muia.