Federations and organisations resolve to prioritise athletes’ mental health

Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung'u [left] talks to chairperson Gender Welfare in Sports Committee Catherine Ndereba during the Agnes Tirop Conference in Kwale yesterday. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Sports organisations and federations registered under the Ministry of Sports have resolved to prioritise the mental health of athletes in a move aimed at fighting Gender-Based Violence cases in sports industry.

In their resolutions after the conclusion of a three-day Agnes Tirop Conference on levelling the playing field and gender inclusivity in sports in Kwale County, the federations unanimously agreed to prioritise mental health of athletes by undertaking periodic trainings and assessment of all the athletes in their respective federations.

In the resolutions read by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Sports Joe Okudo, the sports bodies further agreed to discuss, adopt and implement the report on gender welfare and equity in sports by four-time Boston Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba.

It was also agreed that each sports organisation will revise its constitution to reflect the Sports Act and other Acts, for the promotion and protection of gender equity.

In this regard, the federations agreed to meet after 100 days’ time and review the progress made, after the Agnes Tirop Conference in preparation for a comprehensive review of their milestone to be held in July.

On women representation, the federations resolved to ensure that women are represented in management and that the constitutional threshold of two thirds gender representation is upheld. The sports bodies said they will they also endeavour to maintain a 50:50 representation in management.