Athletes' retreat

By FEVERPITCH REPORTER

Athletics Kenya has lined up experts as the key resource persons from various institutions for the first athletes’ seminar, which kicks off from November 12 to 15 in Eldoret.

Among the athletes invited for the seminar are 800m Olympic champion and worlsd record holder, David Rudisha, Olympic and world 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi and women’s world 5,000m and 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot.

The seminar for the athletes and coaches will gather participants from all corners of the country. Apart from the 300 athletes invited, more than 20 coaches have also been invited.

The AK has also invited one official from each of its 16 branches to team up with the athletes and coaches for the four-day seminar.

It is expected that the 300 athletes will attend this seminar, courtesy of the sponsors and the federation to be acquainted with the changing rules and ever increasing demands of the elite athletes and their general life.

According to Athletics Kenya President, Isaiah Kiplagat, the Federation has targeted elite and non-elite athletes and the upcoming generation of junior athletes from various institutions and affiliates.

Kiplagat urged all invited athletes to take advantage of this important seminar, which is geared towards improving their lifestyle and athletics career. He said that life span of athletes in top flight competition is between 10 and 20 years before one hangs his or her spikes.

“This needs an earlier and proper preparation for international athletes before they retire so as to reap maximum benefit during and after their career,” said the AK boss.

A committee led by Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, who is the Federation’s Vice President, has been working on the Seminar programme with the assistance of a number of athletes and officials both from the head office and the North Rift branch.

The Seminar will be held at the Sirikwa hotel, whose management has confirmed that that sponsors will pitch tents on the lawn of the hotel to market their products to the participants.

Kiplagat has called upon the corporate world to take advantage of the seminar to sponsor it and access athletes whom they can discuss with endorsement matters.