CURBING THE DOPING MENACE
To maximise performance in sports, the athlete needs to consider nutrition an important component of good health and of sporting performance.
The County Government of Nandi in partnership with Anti-Doping Agency Kenya (ADAK), Athletics Kenya (AK) and University of East African Baraton (UEAB) organized a successful Inaugural Conference; National Nutrition for Clean Sports.
The event held at the UEAB grounds was attended by renowned athletes was aimed at sensitizing and equipping athletes with knowledge on clean nutrition to curb the ever increasing doping cases in the field.
The Nandi Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot who was the Chief guest noted that Nutrition always plays a pivotal role in the general health and more so in sports.
“We are committed to working the journey with our athletes, they might not be performing to their best because their nutritional values are not met hence we are putting up a Training camp for our athletes that will implement high-impact athlete outreach program and give support to our champions in producing the best results,” said the deputy county boss.
ADAK CEO Prof. Japhter Rugut, reiterated that protecting clean athletes by fighting against doping is a top priority for ADAK.
Nandi CECM for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech on her part mentioned that The department of Health and Sanitation has budgeted for Nutrition in conjunction with partnerships with other organizations including Nutrition International (NI), to improve nutritional standards in the County.
“Everyone is a stakeholder in keeping our nutritional values up and going, in past mother and child were the main focus in matters Nutrition. But at the moment no one is left behind, the women groups and school health programs we have championed for nutritional values engaging all age groups have proved to improve our nutrition indicators,” she said.
The CECM for Sports,Youth Affairs and Arts, Elly Kurgat added that the department is working hand in hand with the athletes in ensuring that their well-being is catered for.
UEAB Vice Chancellor Prof Phil Maiyo, thanked the County Government of Nandi for their input in the field of sports and vowed to give their support.
In attendance were Solomon Mutai, Chairman Athletics Kenya North Rift Region, Sports Chief Officer Kennedy Tanui,Chief Officer Youth Affairs and Arts Nelson Ligaga, Sports Director Daniel Sitienei, among other dignitaries.