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Athletics Kenya introduces tough measures against age cheating

Xinhua, May 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Athletics Kenya (AK) on Thursday introduced tough measures into its constitution to curb the escalating cases of age cheating.

Jinaro Kibet, AK vice-president told Xinhua in Nairobi that the amended constitution has criminalized age-cheating that will see any cheat caught face sanctions from the association along with their coach, agent and manager.

"Age cheating is becoming a menace and we have enshrined it in the constitution as a major offence and anyone who knowingly assists an athlete to cheat about their age will be liable to a suspension of up to three years," Kibet said.

Kibet said AK will revoke licenses of such managers who enter over age athletes into junior events, in a bid to stop the escalating vice.

Kibet noted the review of AK constitution was occasioned by the need to comply with the Sports Act as well as taking into consideration the views of athletes.

"Age cheating is now a nuisance, just like doping and we will face cheats head on to safeguard the reputation Kenya has earned in athletics over the years," Kibet said.

The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has in the past expressed concern with the tendency of national athletics federations to enter over aged competitors in international junior events.

In 2014, concerns on over age athletes turning up for Kenya and Ethiopia threatened to tarnish the second edition of the Africa Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana. Endit