Why Iten camps are loved by many athletes

By EDWIN CHESEREK

The Keiyo North District is the dream of every budding athlete because of its cold weather condition.

Many athletic coaches both local and international recommend it for high altitude training, hence the mushrooming of training camps.

International athletes own most of the camps. The most popular training facility is at Iten, just in the suburbs of the busy Iten town.

The heavy presence of the multi-millionaire athletes has changed the socio-economic landscape of the town.

For the last eight years, more than 1,000 runners, mainly training as individuals, have rented houses in almost every estate within Iten, according to Keiyo North Sports Officer, George Obumba.

Mr Obumba says he had received complaints about the randy athletes and was pursuing the matter.

"The Ministry is aware of the issue and we will make culprits take full responsibility," Obumba told The Standard.

He said a District Development Committee meeting had directed that all athletes training in the camps be registered.

But he said the accusations should not be generalised since the culprits could be a few immoral runners.

The sports officer also blamed parents for failing to report the incidences on time.

Area Athletic Kenya (AK) chairman and former 3,000 metres world champion Daniel Komen admits that cases of amorous athletes preying on innocent schoolgirls exist in the area.

"Such cases would not be tolerated and we will not protect athletes involved in such immoral acts," he warned.