Uasin Gishu county governor Jonathan Chelilim Bii has urged sports federations in the country to end cartels in the industry that is killing many talents across the world.
Speaking in Eldoret during the London marathon watch party where Amos Kipruto won the men’s title with then defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei finishing second, Chelilim said that there are so many cartels in sports especially athletics, spreading the gospel of doping among Kenyan track and field runners as well as road runners.
The new governor said that doping and other vices in sports will only end if the cartels in sports federations are dealt with as soon as possible.
“As we speak right now, many Kenyans have either been banned or are under suspension. This is not the Kenya spirit of sports that we want but a progressive nation of producing good and clean athletes. To end the doping menace the cartels should be out of sports,” said Chelilim.
The county boss narrated that newly crowned Berlin marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has been running in all the races across the world, winning with ease because he has good people behind him. They guide him without curtailing his career progression.
“When I watch Kipchoge and other athletes run, I see great people representing our country but it is unfortunate that some young athletes are manipulated by some rogue managers or coaches to earn them money and later dump them,” said the governor.
He insisted that for the country to prosper, the government, both national and county governments should build sporting facilities for the growing number of sportsmen and women, who would earn a living.
“We have many young people growing in sports. For the progression of the country in sports, facilities are very important. Both indoor and outdoor,” he said.
He promised that the 64 stadium in Eldoret that its construction started by the past regime will be complete for the young people to utilize as fast as possible.
“Our 64 stadium is almost ready and our young people will use the facility once it is complete. We are in the last touches of completion,” he said.