Sports Cabinet Secretary Wario’s stand on doping is a step in the right direction

Dr Hassan Wario, centre, Minister for Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture receive a KPL trophy from Jerry Onyango, right, Captain Gor Mahia. Looking on is Sam Nyamweya, second right, Ambrose Rachier, second left, Chairman Gor Mahia and Robert Asembo, left, during Gor Mahia luncheon after winning KPL Title 2014 at Hotel Crownie plaza in Nairobi on Wednesday, November 12th, 2014. Photo/Jonah Onyango

I mentioned last week that unless something drastic happens, Kenyan athletics was on the verge of a catastrophic collapse. From doping scandals to all out war within the management of Athletics Kenya, the gains made by our athletes over the years looked to be going up in smoke.

The wrangles still continue as officials within the ruling body seek to forcibly remove long serving boss Isaiah Kiplagat. However, Cabinet Secretary for Sport Hassan Wario appears to have taken the lead in anti-doping by saying the government will partner with sports associations in not only tightening the noose in regards to dope-testing, but also sensitising sportsmen and women about the dangers of testing positive for banned substances.

This is a huge step in the right direction, as we’ve never really seen the government take on doping head-on. With the recent Moni Wekesa report claiming that substance abuse is rife in sport, Wario is right to react quickly to what could potentially be an irreparable situation for many sporting disciplines. We’ve heard too many cases of footballers using various substances that would ban them in many countries and it is time for the situation to be arrested.

Rugby has been at the forefront of sports associations trying educate players on what is right and wrong in regards to supplements and illegal substances, including alcohol, so it is fitting that the Kenya Rugby Union was among the first to welcome the government’s move with Qatar to test samples, and I for one will be eagerly keeping an eye on Kenya’s progress in the fight against doping.

 

GOR DESERVED KPL TITLE

Congratulations to Gor Mahia, who are the deserved champions of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL); and in the process became the third team since turn of the century to retain their title, the others being Ulinzi and Tusker.

K’Ogalo overcame several obstacles, including losing their main sponsor, a change of coach and loss of several key players to win, and the other teams only have themselves to blame for not picking up points when it mattered.

Gor could also count on another crucial factor: the influence of the 12th man, as the fans stood by their team through thick and thin this season.

The big event on this weekend is the GOtv Shield final at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru between KPL runners up Sofapaka and newly promoted Posta Rangers.

The latter will go into the match as underdogs, but this is a cup final and anything can happen. Rangers coach George Maina was an assistant at Tusker and has a winning mentality as a former coach and player at the club.

The winner will represent Kenya at the Africa Confederations Cup and Nike Basin tournament – and there’s an extra incentive in Sh2 million prize money, which will provide plenty of motivation for both teams. Credit must also go to Sofapaka for nearly winning the league and making it to the final.

Their coach Sam Timbe is one of the best tacticians around and this has been reflected in their much improved form in the league.

PREMIER LEAGUE AWARDS

The Kenyan Premier League awards are set for this Wednesday and once again competition will be tight in all categories.

Supersport commentator Herbert Mwachiro has been following the league all season and has these predictions:

Young Player Of The Year: Kennedy Owino (Nakuru All Stars) or Nicholas Kamau (City Stars).

Best Fair Play Club Of The Year: City Stars.

Fair Play Player Of The Year: John Njoroge (Sofapaka).

Team Manager Of The Year: Rajab Said (Chemelil Sugar).

Coach Of The Year: Sam Timbe (Sofapaka) or Robert Matano Ulinzi).

Defender Of The Year: Charles Odete (Sony Sugar) or David Owino (Gor Mahia).

Goalkeeper Of The Year: Jerim Onyango (Gor Mahia) or Lucas Ndeche (Sony Sugar).

Midfielder Of The Year: Anthony Ndolo (Sofapaka) or Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito (Gor Mahia).

Goal Scorer Of The Year: Dan SSerunkuma (Gor Mahia). Credit must go to Enok Agwanda (Sofapaka), who showed his true potential this season.

Footballer Of The Year: Geoffrey Kizito (Gor Mahia). The other nominees are Anthony Ndolo (Sofapaka), Osborne Monday (Tusker), Steven Waruru (Ulinzi) and Enock Agwanda (Sofapaka).

In other news, it appears like there will be an exodus of players leaving both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards due to contract issues and financial woes at the clubs.

Sofapaka coach Timbe has been linked with Leopards, and it looks increasingly likely that current coach Pieter De Jong may not be with the team next season,

The Football Kenya Federation seems hell-bent on wanting to expand the KPL league to 18 teams. The two parties need to amicably sort their issues out as soon as possible for the sake of the game before sponsors start deserting the sport.

The image of football has long been trouble and the stakeholders need to get their act together swift to change that.

In the meantime Shabana are back in the top flight, although many questions are being asked about the way they were promoted.

On a positive note the 2018 CHAN organising committee was launched this week, although that was muted by the sad news of the cancellation of the annual KPL under-19 tournament due to a lack of funds.

We do hope the tournament makes a swift return.