Chair Special committee Catherine Ndereba (left) and CS Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohammed in a meeting to update the public on the preparation for the Agnes Tirop Conference. Jan 13, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Dr Amina Mohamed has emphasized that her ministry is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of sportswomen.

Speaking on Thursday in Nairobi while giving a briefing on the preparation for the Agnes Tirop Conference to be held at Diani Reef Hotel in Kwale county, the CS noted that there is a need for women inclusivity in a bid to help in the growth and development of the sport in the Country.

The Conference that kicks off from 17th of January 2022 to 22nd January 2022 brings together sports stakeholders from Kenya and across the world, top government officials, investigative agencies, officials from the UN, World Bank, among others, to discuss issues of Gender-based Violence in Sports and find lasting solutions that will assist in curbing the vice.

Kenya's Agnes Jebet Tirop celebrates with the national flag after finishing third in the Women's 10,000m final at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha on September 28, 2019. (AFP)

“This Tour is about remembering Agnes’ tenacity and her patriotism. That is why we have to celebrate her achievements on and off the track. This Tour will pass a strong message that we are not about to let Agnes’ memory go to waste,” Amina said.

Athletics Kenya is expected to hold national trials on the 22nd of this month to select a squad that will feature in the tour. Athletes who compete in the 15 rounds of the Cross Country Tour meetings earn world cross country ranking points as well cash prizes.

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A report by the Gender Welfare and Equity Committee that was tasked with investigating and reporting on cases of GBV in Sports in Kenya was also launched.

Last week in Eldoret, the Sports CS said the upcoming Agnes Tirop Memorial World Cross Country Tour will be an opportunity for Kenya to pass a strong message that the country highly values its athletes.

The late Agnes Tirop, former 500m World bronze medalist was found dead on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.

She had won bronze medals in the women’s 10,000 meters at the 2017 and 2019 world championships and finished fourth in the 5,000 meters at the Tokyo Olympics.