Deaflympics: Team Kenya undergo intensive anti-doping sensitisation

The initiative, which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Sports, and ADAK aims to ensure that the Kenyan deaf athletes compete clean in the Summer Games.

The Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics will take place from November 15 to 26, with Kenya competing in five disciplines - athletics, swimming, golf, women’s basketball and men’s handball.

The anti-doping workshop began on Monday with a two-day session for teams and federations officials at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi.

The session for athletes followed and ends Thursday at the same venue. Team Kenya captain Isaac Atima noted that thanks to the training, they are now aware of the prohibited substances that they should avoid to prevent sanctions.

He encouraged his fellow athletes to abide by the regulation to protect their career from being derailed by sanctions.

“This training has helped us to understand what elements to avoid,” said Atima, who competes in men’s 400m and 400m hurdles.

“We have been trained severally and I believe that as an athlete, I need to run clean and to work on my training without using other substances which are not beneficial to an athlete.

“I would like to encourage my colleagues to be cautious with what they are using because if one uses a substance which is prohibited, it can lead to sanctions and an end to one’s career,” he added.

His co-captain Linet Nanjala said: “In the past, I wasn’t aware about the anti-doping but now that I am because of the training. I would like to encourage my team members to ensure that we run clean and win medals in the right way.”

Veteran athlete Beryl Wamira said the training has enhanced her understanding of anti-doping rules and regulations, including more awareness of prohibited substances for athletes.

On his part, Kenya Deaf Athletics coach Sammuel Kibet welcomed the training, noting that it will go a long way in preserving the country’s good reputation in deaf athletics.

“As we all know, our country has been so much affected with issues of doping. We thank God we have never had such issues in the Deaf Athletics Team,” said Kibet.

“We want to believe that after this session of anti-doping, they will be more informed than before. We need to safeguard our sports and there is no better way of doing it than being informed so we thank the ADAK team for visiting us,” he added.

Over the years, Kenya has been on the spot over the rising cases of doping.

Last month, ADAK survived sanctions after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) gave it more time to be fully compliant with rules governing clean sport.

ADAK was staring at suspension and possible ban by WADA for being non-compliant to its rules for clean sports.