Tough travel rules annoy athletes

Noah Ng'eny, the 2000 Olympic 1,500m champion

Furious reactions greeted Athletics Kenya’s decision to bring new procedures on athletes invited abroad for competitions.

On Monday, AK issued notice to all athletes and agents which included a raft of procedures that athletes are required to follow when seeking visa letters.

“In order to serve all the athletes, we put in place procedures to be followed when applying for release for various engagements outside the country. These procedures were made effective on 13th January, 2015,” the notice read.

“Letters of invitation from the race organisers should be received at least four days before the appointment with the Embassy or Consulate. Letters inviting athletes must be sent directly to AK via the following email address: [e-mail] .”

Noah Ng’eny, the AK Athletes’ Representative, said the move was punitive and would affect athletes’ morale.

“Why all these procedures? Athletes go to races to make money and they should not be discouraged. What’s the purpose of having a proof of accommodation? These guys plan well and I am sure they will not accept it. I know they think they can clean up AK, but we will not allow intimidation,” said Ng’eny, the 2000 Olympic 1,500m champion.

Kimutai Kosgei, a former Rotterdam Marathon winner, said the procedures would disadvantage the agents.

“This is a punitive rule. It will make athletes without managers or agents and have secured races abroad to suffer. It’s a fact that some athletes pay for their tickets, stay abroad and compete in some races and make money and then travel back home,” said Kosgei.

The notice also indicated that letters from the race organizer(s) must be accompanied by a letter from the National Athletics Federation of the countries where the event will take place. This is exempted where the invitation letter is sent by an AK-accredited Athletes Representative.