A dark spirit has invaded the sports world and a shame is being carried behind the backs of heroes that our country has had pleasure of bragging of for quite some time.
Yet in another disappointing news, a Kenyan footballer is said to have tested positive for an unnamed banned substance which could cost his career.
Although his identity remained hidden, he is believed to be a key member of either Harambee Stars or a leading Kenyan Premier League side or both, as players from the two teams have been subjected to doping tests over the last few months.
Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) chief executive officer Japhter Rugut on Tuesday confirmed the reports, although he refused to disclose the player’s identity.
Rugut said that investigations on the suspect will commence immediately and if found guilty, Adak will advise Football Kenya Federation to have the player stopped from playing henceforth as the investigations continue.
This closely follows the recent demise of a track legend Asbel Kiprop.
The three-time 1,500 m champion has equally been handed a four-year ban
by the Athletics Integrity Unit’s panel after he tested positive for EPO in an out-of-competition test in Kenya on November 2017.
Kiprop’s suspension was backdated to Feb. 3, 2018, when he was provisionally suspended.
Kiprop has been publicly vocal against doping for years. He finished second at the 2008 Olympics but was upgraded to gold after Bahrain’s Rashid Ramzi tested positive for a banned substance upon retesting of a drug sample. While serving his provisional suspension, Kiprop openly spoke to Kenyan media about his positive test.
“The decision is not only a blow to me, but it is not good for the sport of athletics,” Kiprop
What do you think the government should do so that doping is taken seriously by our sportsmen and women to avoid these scandals and save careers?