I hope by now you have come to see that athletics isn’t merely a sport — it’s pure entertainment.
Yet, looking at athletics politics in Kenya today is nothing short of disheartening.
Too often, narratives twist this beautiful spectacle into a do-or-die, money-making machine. Every now and then, you’ll witness verbal clashes and harsh words.
There’s a palpable anger as fans and insiders alike cry out for the current officials to be replaced, arguing that their “greed” overshadows the spirit of the sport.
Athletics remains an individual pursuit where the spotlight is meant to shine on the athletes — but irony strikes when it’s not even the athlete or the devoted coach who benefits the most.
Consider the coach: sacrificing early earnings, sometimes leaving behind personal hardships, all for the fleeting glory of the win.
It baffles many of us why marketing executives and other support staff often receive more recognition and compensation than those who nurture raw talent and passion.
When an athlete wins, shouldn’t that success also be a triumph for the coach who helped mold that performance?
Doping: A Contentious Choice
Doping is a controversial subject that deserves its own spotlight. Many argue that it remains a personal decision—yet the implications stretch far beyond the individual.
The debate over doping encapsulates the broader issues within athletics: accountability, ethics, and the systemic pressures that can drive an athlete to such extremes.
While some see it as a desperate bid for glory in a money-driven environment, others call for a more compassionate understanding of the choices athletes make under intense pressure.
The Fans, the Fights, and the Forgotten
Before engaging in yet another quarrel over who is to blame in athletics, remember that at its heart, the sport is a solitary journey.
Fans may leave with sore throats from cheering, while the winning athlete might saunter home in a flashy BMW—a small token of triumph for the day’s performance.
The discussions among athletes about who truly serves and what legacy they carry matter far more than the fleeting passions that can switch a fan’s loyalty from athletics to soccer or rugby in a heartbeat.
When the Track Falls Silent
I only pity the government’s shortsightedness. Were athletics to be banned today, around 7,000 athletes would suddenly find themselves unemployed, while even members of the disciplined forces might be spared — with recalls preserving their incomes to some extent.
Yet, the heart of athletics thrives in a community that, at its best, unites in both victory and loss.
A Call to Rebuild the Narrative
In conclusion, I invite everyone — bloggers, rumor mongers, and critics alike — to shift the narrative.
Instead of spending days painting the evils of athletics, let’s channel our energy into building solid ventures: be it farming, innovative business, or community projects.
By doing so, we not only uplift ourselves but also protect and celebrate the pure, enchanting spirit of athletics that unites us all.
Brigid Chebet Ngeno is a sports scientist with a strong background in athletics from primary through high school. She is passionate about athlete education, sports scholarships, grassroots empowerment, branding, advocacy, and fighting gender-based violence. Her mission is to ensure every athlete has the opportunity to thrive both on and off the track.
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