Kenyanstar Magazine Issue 3

KENYANSTAR

GAME ON

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 3 JANUARY-MARCH Kshs 250

PROFILE

VOLLEYBALL

EASTLAND’S CRICKET PIONEER

FOOTBALL

FARIDA EFUMBI

LINDA KIMEMIA

NEW ADMINISTRATION

KNOW YOUR GAME:

A HAVEN OF

HOCKEY

ABILITY FEATURE STORY

ATHLETICS

HIGH PERFOMANCE TRAINING CENTER

B

d n o y e

DISABILITY

INSIDE FOOTBALL...........................4 FAN- PIC ...................................10 CRICKET.....................................12 KARATE......................................14 FEATURE STORY...........................16 ATHLETICS..................................20 SPORTS JOINT.............................24 PICTORIAL...................................26 TENNIS.......................................28 RUGBY........................................30 POEM.........................................34 EXERCISE...................................40 SPORTS & DRUGS.......................44

KENYANSTAR TEAM MANAGING EDITOR Timothy Olobulu (timo@kenyanstar.co.ke) EDITORIAL Peninah Njakwe (newsdesk@kenyanstar.co.ke) Gregory Mulemi Stephanie Haan Bruce Juma Francis Ontomwa Carrey Ombaka Mwangi Gichau Kenyatta Otieno SALES AND MARKETING Habiba Rashid (habiba@kenyanstar.co.ke) Belinda Mueni ( belinda@kenyanstar.co.ke) Fanuel Andwati ( fandwati@kenyanstar.co.ke) DESIGN AND LAYOUT Alex Ireri (design@kenyanstar.co.ke) PHOTOGRAPHY Timothy Olobulu ADMINISTRATION Samuel Eyinda (samueleyinda@kenyanstar.co.ke) Booker Ngesa (booker@kenyanstar.co.ke) A Publication of Intercontinental Publishers Ltd P.O Box 45754 nairobi Tel:4443649/50/72 Fax:4443650 Cell: 0700126608 Email:info@kenyanstar.co.ke www.kenyanstar.co.ke

Kenyanstar @Kenyanstar All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the editor is strictly prohibited

EDITOR’S NOTE The festive season is here with us and so is the norm of partying and making merry. However as we prepare to celebrate this season KenyanStar would like you to take a moment and think of HIV pandemic. December 1, marks the World AIDS Day and the magazine has brought you articles on the pandemic and its relation to drug abuse and the dangers they pose to our sportsmen and women.

Latest statistics indicate that more than 60 per cent of new HIV infections are among young people aged 15 to 35 years. Of these infections the rate of infection is higher in women than in men. In our articles KenyanStar demonstrates how dealing with the drug abuse menace among the youth could reduce the rates of infections. Knowing that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop it is time that young people are engaged in various sports and other activities to preoccupy them. We therefore call on the government and corporates to help promote sports in the country so that the youth can be attracted to the sports.

Many people have always related disability with inability. The growing number of beggars in the street is an indication of how many of the disabled have given up and resorted to begging. In this issue KenyanStar brings you the story of the Wheelchair Basketball team that will not let disability bring them down.

In our other stories in this 3rd Edition, KenyanStar continues to bring you extensive coverage of all the sports and sports personalities in Kenya.

Maureen

KenyanStar Team wishes you A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Enjoy & Play Safe

COVER MODEL

JONAS NAHIMANA ‘PACO’

Growing up in the democratic Republic of Congo which apart from Music has an attatchment to soccer, Paco Started playing soccer at an early age of Six while still at Dibasana Primary School. At the age of 12, he moved to St. Elloi Lupopo Academy where he continued with his soccer exploits.

The 22 year old Nahimana has played for DC Motema Pembe in DRC between 2007 and 2008 before his talent caught the eyes of Rwandese giants Atraco where he played for three seasons between 2008 and 2010, before moving to Kenya.

He stayed in Kenya for a while before he was snapped up by AFC Leopards in mid season and has moved to cement his place in the first team.

He talks vividly of his love for AFC Leopards and the feeling he has towards the club.

“AFC Leopards is a big family. The playing unit and the technical bench make me feel at home; and the fans are amazing. They are always there to support the team, no matter what. I love them”, he says.His dream is one day to play in Europe, just like any other African player’s dreams.

“I would like to play in Europe one day and reach the heights of the likes of Drogba, Eto’o, Essien and the likes. I know I will make it”, he says.

CRICKET

Football Administration:New Beginnings With the new administration in place hopes are high that Kenyan football will finally reach greater lengths

By Timothy Olobulu

F

or many decades, the football administration in the country has been a rot with the country’s soccer state being the most affected.Gross mismanagement of funds, poor administrative structures and self centered leadership has been the norm at the administrative levels.

This has led to the drop in FIFA rankings for the national team Harambee Stars from an all time high of 68 just in 2008 to a current 135. Coaches have been changed like clothing leading to extremely poor results by the team.

The national team though being pooled in a relatively less difficult group for the 2012 African Cup of Nations failed to make it to Africa’s grand soccer fiesta, winning only two matches, losing a similar number and drawing the same.

But after October 27th, things could change if you look at it from an optimis-

4 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

tic angle. Democratic soccer elections were held, something that even the FIFA officials gave a nod to and a team to lead Kenya’s soccer was formed.

The New Look Though headed by a familiar face, the new spirit of Kenyans demanding accountability will keep them on toes ensuring that we do not go back to Egypt as our Canaan is just in sight.

Sammy Sholei who won the Vice Chairman’s seat is the only new face in the board.

Being a former player, his ambition was charged by his experience of being neglected and mistreated as a former player and he made the decision to step into the pot to change things. He gave up his chairmanship candidature in favor of Hussein Mohammed who was beaten by Sam Nyamweya to

second place in the elections.

The new office has started with vigour and with Harambee Stars finally getting back to winning ways. Just days after coming into office, Nyamweya appointed Francis Kimanzi as the coach of the national team and his faith in the Sofapaka coach was rewarded with a 7-0 aggregate win over Seychelles in the pre-world cup qualifiers.

The new chairman has been there for many years and he has seen the good, the bad and the ugly. He has been at his best for the country and has also been at his worst.

Many believe that he will be at his best this time round, in a bid to clear his name of the mud that has been smeared on it over the years. The presence of an official from an opposing camp during the campaigns will increase the checks and balances.

A Football Compliant Life

By Kenyatta Otieno

Football has the immense power to pause a civil war

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It is ranked as the world’s most popular sport with a great magnitude of followers. The football fans cut across s across every social, political and economic divide.

The game has the power to enforce a ceasefire in a civil war. This was witnessed during the Ivory Coast’s civil war where warring factions would stop fighting when their national team was playing at home. That’s the immense power of what the Brazilians’ baptized the beautiful game, because it was too good a game for them.

People fly from England to watch a match at the San-Siro Stadium in Milan- Italy then fly back and be ready for work the next day. Take an example of the true story of a wealthy young man in Russia who watched the dramatic comeback pulled by Manchester United against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League Final and decided to buy Chelsea FC. It may look like fanaticism or madness, football seems to take captive every mind and heart that falls in love with it.

FOOTBALL Extreme Emotions Display Fans have committed suicide, killed each other or as in Columbia players have been shot dead for letting a team down. Fans are known to go into depression when their team loses and uncontrolled jubilation for a win. Gamblers have made fortunes while others have seen their fortunes go down the drain.

There are many lessons that one can learn from football. The fans and players live lives that are opposite to a sport they follow religiously. Sports are associated with discipline, commitment and concentration. These are the traits that enable players withstand the 90 minutes of a match and survive the aftermath regardless of the results. Players, officials and fans need not speak the same language as long as they understand the language that is football.

The goal represents the family, a very important aspect of life that must be defended at all costs.The goalkeeper is as important as the defense is in a team. They all guard the opponent from scoring at any cost. The five players out of eleven in a team put to defend the goal spell the importance of this department.

Of Wealth and Health Health and wealth are the defense system one needs to put in place. It is good for someone to have insurance cover- medical or life but a healthy lifestyle is more important. A good eating habit is as important to a football player as it is to the fan. They say football is watched by 22 000 people who need exercise and 22 players in need of a rest. Physical exercise is a discipline a devout football fan can pick from the game.

Good investments to cover for the unexpected rainy days. Prudence is the word for football defenders; they do their best and expect the worst as well.

Wealth creation is a skill every individual needs to learn and know. Sweep every threat and mark anyone who appears to be dangerous. What can go

wrong will definitely go wrong, so save and invest wisely.

The midfield is the centre of a football team. The battle of the midfield is the battle that determines who wins the match. The person who wins the midfield dictates the pace of a match. It is divided into two, defensive and attacking midfielders. This is the core of every individual, the centre of ones being. This is where the most important battles are won and sometimes lostthe heart.

The heart is about relationships- chemistry, they say it is not smart hence the need for caution. Defensive midfield should be the relationships one builds.

Just like Alex Song’ at Arsenal and Crispin Olando at Tusker FC, these friends cover your defenses. They have your back, the back line covered.

They are friends you can depend on at all times.. Though hard to find they do exist.

The attacking midfielders push the teams winning agenda. Everyone needs an agenda to win something larger than them in life. They come in from the flanks and at the centre. Theo Walcot can run like lightening on the right flank for Arsenal and Paul Were can terrorize defenses from the left for Tusker. You need to have a network that can push an agenda with you.

Have Fun while at it There are opportunities in life you will never hear of unless you have good networks. Make such networks as much as you can. They will help you grow in your career, and social. The investments groups fall here, people you build capital with and go for investment opportunities with.

The playmaker is very important; all work without play makes Jack a dull boy. The playmaker dribbles and appears to enjoy the match more than anybody else. In the fun and dribbling, he sees opportunities to pass the ball to the strikers. Have your fun, as you enjoy you should be philanthropic and pass the ball. Share what you have so

that someone else can also score, it is not always about you.

The striker’s main job is to finish, you have to deliver. At home or in the office, deadlines have to be met and targets achieved. It is good to play but winning is about the goals you score.

Clinical execution is the attribute of the best football strikers. Set the goals and do everything in your power to achieve them. The relationships in the midfield are important; in the end it rises and falls on you.

Do not just sit there, do something.

Make that application; hit the gym or start jogging to shed off that weight.

Dreaming and planning never achieved much unless you took the step to jump in and do the job. Ask that lady out for coffee and ladies as you sip, take time to smell the coffee. Too much caffeine is not good for your health so make the decisions sooner and not later.

Life in general is like a match to a football club manager or coach. You win as a team and loose as an individual. The substitutes are available, if something is not working fix it, if it doesn’t improve, change it. Make sure everyone around you adds some value to your life as you impact other people’s lives as well.

In matters of the heart Before getting into a romantic relationship send scouts out and wait for their feedback. If you are satisfied with their recommendation invite your object of desire over for trials. If you are comfortable with their abilities and they fit into your immediate and future plans then talk the agents (parents) and agree on terms. Before you sign the contract they have to undergo a medical then you unveil them to all and sundry at your wedding. Then they can get to play in your team and your league.

The best team does not win all the matches but bounce back after a loss.

Like it is written in Desiderata, it is still a beautiful world. Even with the missed passes, turnovers, draws and loses, there are wins as well and it is still a beautiful game.

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

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BASKETBALL

ZOOM IN: LINDA KIMEMIA She is agile, active and one of the brilliant up coming basket ballers currently with the JKUAT basketball team. Kenyanstar met her and spent time with her. Now it’s your turn meet and like her.

Bio Data:

By Timothy Olobulu

Date of birth: December 21 Education: BuruBuru Girls, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

How did you develop the interest in basketball?

I developed interest in basketball as a student in BuruBuru girls. The school had a vested interest in the sport and as a result, the team thrived tremendously every year. The coach was also a big inspiration to the team as he tirelessly motivated players and generously dedicated his time towards this game.

To what heights did you reach while playing in the high school team and in your basketball?

The school team always made it to the provincial finals and recently, has been representing Nairobi province in the nationals. As a student in BuruBuru I

8 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

got several awards for being the Most Valuable Player in a number of tournaments and once, was awarded Most Promising Player. I was also awarded by the school for being an all round student for excelling in basketball and academics.

After high school, I have been awarded with an MVP award, a number of certificates and last year, was awarded for being the best defensive player in the NBA league. Recently, I was called up in the varsity team to represent Nairobi in the just concluded inter-cities tournament where we emerged 3rd.

What attracted you to the game? Was it the flamboyance associated with it or was it just out of interest?

I guess at first it was the prestige associated with the game but once I stepped on the court, the game grew on me and it became a part of me. It was a place where I found peace and felt at home.

It always brought an indescribable satisfaction and self appreciation.

Who are your role models?

In this basketball world, anyone who knows me knows my all time favourite is Boston Celtics, point guard for the, Rajon Rondo. I am also a point guard and coincidentally, we wear the same jersey number 09. He always gives me new challenges to overcome. I would say much more about him but think I already answered the question.

BASKETBALL Why this game is so common in schools especially universities?

I would say it is the basketball culture worldwide for those who didn’t develop the interest prior to joining university.

However, like I had said earlier, the game grows in you. Basketball is very addictive though in a good way. University life is synonymous to plenty of freedom so students tend to partake in activities that occupy their time, and that is where basketball comes in. The game requires intensive continuous training and that translates to investing personal time towards the game.

Individually what are some of the goals you have in terms of basketball? Can you take it as a career just a hobby?

My major goal was to play in the premier league for a team that actually believes in what I can do.I am proud to have achieved this when I joined the league earlier in the year. t. It’s my first season and so far, I love the results.

Teams here are however tougher than school teams.

I had hoped to get a scholarship and complete my studies but am now in my final year in campus. I would take it as a career if it satisfactorily sustains my livelihood but in Kenya, this is still a very new concept.

For me it would be a dream come true to just play basketball exclusively and get paid well for it. However, there was a coach who approached me to play in his team as there are plans underway to make basketball a well paying sole career for his players and the company that the team is under was willing to cater for its players. If this plan bears fruit, I would gladly want to be a part of it.

ty. One of the challenges facing universities is that the students are moving to clubs in the league. Basically, there is little competition due to little participation, hence no motivation. The management of this league is also questionable; failure to overcome the obstacles facing this league, universities will be forced to pull out as players will no longer play for their schools.

Finally, what is your general view on the game? Do you think it is at par with the rest of the continent?

Kenya has great players with a lot of potential but the players are not motivated. Being called up to the national team is no longer a thrill to many players who have had a prior experience. This is because of the financial hardships they go through whilst representing the country.. If something is not done soon, there won’t be players to participate in international competitions. The country should properly appreciate these great players in all ways. In terms of talent, the players are way above most of the countries in this continent. I believe that if they had all the motivation they need, no doubt, they would be the best team in this continent.

What do you think of basketball as a game in universities? Is it growing in popularity?

The game is growing in populari-

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

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FAN - PIC

Are you an enthusiastic female fan of any sport and would like your photo to appear on this page? Drop us an email on admin@kenyanstar.co.ke or info@ kenyanstar.co.ke with your best photo(s) attatched.

The best will appear in our next magazine!

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HOCKEY

Know your Game: Hockey

The goal of the hockey players is to maneuver into the opponent’s goal post

By Peninah Njuguna

H

ockey is played amongst two teams where each tries to maneuver the ball into the opponent’s goal using a hockey stick.There are different types of Hockey which vary depending on where it is played and the equipment used to play. Though Field hockey is the most popular hockey in Kenya other types of hockey games include: Ice hockey, inline hockey, Sledge hockey, street hockey, unicycle hockey, and underwater hockey among others.

Field hockey This is the most common kind of hockey here in Kenya. It’s played on gravel or natural grass. The stick is J-Shaped and is made of composite wood, carbon glass/fibre or both.

It has a curved hook at the playing end, flat surface on the playing side and a curved surface on the rear side.

How to play The aim of the game is to shoot the small ball puck into the opponent’s goal and thus the other team’s role automatically is to defend its goal. Each team is made up of ten players, a goalie and five substitutes. The captain from each team wears a distinctive arm band for recognition.

To begin play, a pass is taken from the decided team from the centre of the field. It is either pushed of hit to a player in their own half while the opponents are five meters from the ball.

The game is played in two halves with each running for 35 minutes (for men) and 30 minutes for women with intermissions of five to ten minutes. It is goes on without timeouts not unless one of the referees on either side of the field calls one or there happens to be an injury.

Here, goals can only be scored within the shooting circle referred to as the “D” and each goal is awarded one point.

The players are only allowed to use their sticks for touching the puck except for the goalie who is allowed to use other parts of his body to save a shot. However, the goalie is only allowed to do so when he/she is within the “D”. Outside of it he/she is treated as any other player.

Rules of the Game Like in any other game, there are rules for this game as well: • The ball is to hit only with the front of the stick.

• No part on the players’ body should be used to hit the ball.

• You must not obstruct the opponent with your stick or body.

• The ball should not be raised dangerously to injure a player of the referee.

• Player must play the ball with his stick over shoulder height.

Incase fouls occur opponents are awarded a free hit from the point of foul. In case an infraction within the ‘D’ happens, a short corner or penalty shot may be awarded.

In case the time elapses and the teams end in ties, tie breaker is set.7.5 minutes are added and incase one team scores, the game ends. In the event of a draw both teams get into penalty shoot outs where the winner is decided from who scores more penalty strokes.

The game is an interesting one demanding for players to be quick and creative in dribbling, fearless of the playing equipments and well, talent and love for the game.

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

11

CRICKET

Eastland’s Cricket Pioneer Young pioneer opens cricket academy. As children in Huruma learn and love the game

By Mwangi Gichau

C

ricket is a gentleman’s game, so they say. It is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players each. One team bats trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the runs scored by the batting team.

An average Kenyan adult will not understand the short description above.

The game is mostly played by members of the Indian community who live in the upmarket suburbs west of Nairobi. But for many primary school children of Huruma in Eastlands, this is a sport that they understand very well thanks to one Niconory Abwamba.

25 year old Abwamba is a cricket pioneer in Eastlands. He founded a cricket academy in Huruma in February 2011. He has been volunteering to train children in the estate and also in schools such as Daima, Huruma and Ndururumo Primary Schools. wNick, as he is best known, does all this out of the passion he has for cricket and gets nothing in return. “I am not

12 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

CRICKET paid a salary but am happy because am giving back to the society. Playing and coaching cricket has kept me from alcohol, drugs and other social evils here in the ghetto,’’ said Nick.

Nick coaches his Huruma Focus U-13 team of both boys and girls. He also currently plays for the Kenya Kongonis Cricket Club, who made it to the final of the 2011 East Africa Premier League.

He aims at developing and nurturing talent from this low income area. “Huku ghetto kuna talent sana,’’ (There is a lot of talent here), he said.

When he started the project with four players only, Nick was using an armchair as stumps. He had one ball and one wooden bat. He later obtained more cricket equipment from the Development Manager at Railways Club after completing a coaching course.

Credentials and Successes He is an International Cricket Council certified coach. He has completed several training courses among them the Introductory Cricket Coaching course, ICC Level 1 Cricket Coaching course, Cricket Scorer Training Course and ICC Cricket Administrators Programme. He hopes to have completed the ICC Level 2 and 3 Coaching Course in the next one year.

Nick was introduced to cricket at Peter Kibukosya Primary School in Umoja at Standard 4. Upon completing his secondary education, he joined Stray Lions Cricket Club in 2006, where he played on and off until 2009. In early 2011, he was recruited by his current club Kongonis. He hopes to make the Kenya A team soon.

Abwamba says that he lacked funds to pursue further studies, a story told by many young people in Eastlands. He had a dream of becoming a doctor but this went up in smoke. He tried his luck during military recruitment but didn’t make it due to corruption and competition. He is however satisfied with cricket although he encounters many challenges.

even a training pitch. We don’t have a permanent base or office. The children play without any protectective gear.

This is very risky, most of them come from poor families and some of them are orphans. Sometimes they come for training even without eating.’’ “ I would like to appeal to any sponsor to come on board so that this talent doesn’t waste away,’’ he added.

Nick’s goal is to spread and develop the game in other parts of the expansive Eastlands area like Dandora, Kariobangi, Kayole and Mathare. He also plans to introduce cricket for the disabled, which is currently not available in Kenya.

“Even the disabled are talented and can play cricket. They can bowl, bat, catch and even run. In Uganda, disabled people play cricket. Am planning to introduce that here in Huruma.

Nairobi Jeffreys Club.

Nick has been training more than 60 children on the dusty estate grounds every weekend for over six months now and the numbers keep rising.

Whenever he is not availabe, his brother Ishmael Abwamba, who is a trained cricket umpire, stands in for him.

“I thank God for everything and I pray that one day, my dream will be fulfilled.

I know God will help me even to get sponsors,” concluded the unemployed but determined Nick.

With this initiative, Kenya’s cricketting future looks promising.

“My dream is to make this place a small India, where everybody plays cricket even in the streets.’’

Several of the girls he has trained have joined top cricket clubs like Athi Mambas, Chania Sharks, Yala Whales and Tana Dolphins. Four of them have been called up to the Kenya U-19 team that was scheduled to play against Tanzania in a World Cup qualifier in December. One of these girls, Faith Mwende of Chania Sharks, won the Most Promising Player Award at the 2011 20 Obuya Tournament played at

Scarcity of Funds “Our biggest challenge is funding. We need more equipment and kits and

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

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KARATE

Patience, Hardwork and Discipline; PHD in Karate Karate is not the game, for quick muscle building,and sharpening of fighting skills.Patience hardwork and discipline goes a long way.

When Lawrence Watako first enrolled for Karate training at a local gymnasium at Harambee Street in the town of Mumias, his sole aim was to build a ruthless fighter in him, one that would silence anyone who came his way. His was an objective to build muscles quickly and sharpen his fighting skills just as he had watched martial artists do in the movies.

However in a sharp turn of events things changed for him and today, he is an international Karate player with a broad aim to take his career professional.What started as a mere pastime activity has now turned into a career for Watako who hails from Namulungu village of Mumias in the county of Kakamega.

He is a national team Karate player who has made several appearances for the team since the year 2007 both

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KARATE

locally and internationally. A two time silver medalist for the East and Central Africa championship under 84 kilogramme category and the Kenya Open games, the 28 year old is a first Dan Black Belt holder who is upbeat and raring to go! “ Martial arts is my life, I started playing back in the year 2002 when I was a form four student at St. Stephens Namulungu Secondary school in Mumias and since then I have neither looked back nor regretted taking this course” he affirms.

He participated in the African championships in Capetown, South Africa in the year 2010 and the world Karate championships For Clubs held in the town of Malindi this year. Last year he was part of the Kenyan team that included 6 men and 4 women who won the Bronze medal in the All African games held in Maputo, Mozambique.

Dan Murunga, a former Egerton University Karate player was the man behind Watako’s prospects. A neighbor and a friend, Murunga registered him at a Gymnastic Health Club in the town of Mumias and slowly, young Watako started to learn the ropes and after sometime his perceptions about the game took a different course. “ Karate is much broader than what people want to think of, this is a game that instills morals and most importantly disciplined in the society, if we can be able to see more youths taking this programme what a peaceful society we would have!” he quips.

Away from playing, he is also the Western Branch Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) technical commissioner placing him at the center of the game in the region. He travels across the wider Western region in organizing Karate events and offering training programmes.

Watoka says that Karate has imparted in him many life skills and morals such as persistence, hardwork and discipline, aspects that he is passing on to tens of trainees who flock his training sessions at Buffet De Torra Gymnastics Health Club situated at Jua Kali estate of Kakamega town.

“We simply put it as PHD that is Persistence, Hardwork and Discipline, to us these are the ingredients of baking a successful Karate player which every determined individual ought to inculcate in his endeavors” he notes. “ Many young people whom I train here and those who have passed through my hands are a changed people compared to how they came in in the first place, a testament that the game is not for hooligans as many perceive it to be” he adds.

Among his trainees at the gymnasium are two players Ignatius Ojiambo and Rashid Nangabu who currently play for the national Karate team in the under 74 and under 67 kilogramme categories respectively. Ojiambo a former Musingu High school and now Mas-

inde Muliro University Karate player describes Watako as a man of simple demeanor whose training according to him, is the best he has ever had since he started playing the sport.

“When we are training everyone respects him, not because he is harsh orsomething but because he speaks to everyone as a friend and his caring reputation just makes him the best tactician you can have around” observes Ojiambo.

Watako is currently a second year student of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) where he captains the university’s Karate team. A teetotaler and a God fearing person, Watako’s role model is Kathoka Ngomo a former magistrate and retired Karate player, currently a national referee.

“I have largely interacted with him and this is what he always tells me “don’t give up no matter what I have taken that seriously and looking back I can only say many thanks to him” he offers.

His goal is to become a world beater in addition to helping the game grow in the county by way of involving more interested youths to take part in competitions.

“I have a dream that one day Karate will be accepted in Kenya and loved just as football, athletics and other popular sports” he notes.

Watako is now challenging corporate bodies to support the game by way of sponsorship.

“Times are changing and the game is slowly gaining popularity in the country and especially the Western region and against this backdrop, there is need for people of goodwill to boost these prospects” he notes.

“I am overwhelmed by the number of many willing young people determined tolearn the sport, and if we can build an enabled environment for them, we shall soar heights” he adds.

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FEATURE

SPORTS ARE FOR ALL. EVEN THE DISABLED Disability is no reason to shy away from the pitch. Regardless of the impairment, there is always a sport you can engage in.

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By Timothy Olobulu

FEATURE

Disability is not inability. This is a saying that many people know of but the deep meaning is seldom understood.

Very many people get or have disabilities of one kind or the other, but very few of them look beyond their incapacitation to go on with their lives.

Hundreds of times you will meet them on the streets with their hands stretched out or with a welcoming bowl strategically placed on the walk paths. , for anyone who would care to drop a coin or two for the “maskini”.

But there are those of a self willed mind; those who cannot stand the embarrassment of pouring themselves out in the streets armed with a bowl and “puppy eyes” to attract “potential investors”. They use whatever little ability they have.

Stories are told of people who write with their feet after losing their hands, even play guitars and drive vehicles.

The Paralympics team In sports, it is starting to come up that even the disabled can play as well as the fully able. Kenya is known to have a very powerful Paralympics team which comes back home with as much medals as their regular Olympic counterparts.

But as much as they represent the country and make it proud, a section of them are rarely recognized by the government and often find it hard pre-

paring for games and participating in them. Such is the case of the National Wheelchair basketball team.

They were preparing hard for the Olympic Qualifiers which were to be held in Morroco just after the All African Games. They however failed to travel after the government informed the team that there were no funds. According to the government there were no finances since the just concluded Maputo All Africa games had drained their account.

Just before that they were to be part of the Kenya AAG team but could not travel as the Mozambique organizing committee scrapped off the Wheelchair Basketball event as they did not have a team to represent them.

According to Coach Nick Ngumbi, the players were heartbroken by the sad news of both events as they had been preparing hard for them.

“It was very disheartening for us to hear that we could not go to Maputo and Morroco, but I gave the players hope that things would get well. It is very discouraging to prepare only to be disappointed at the eleventh hour with news that you can not travel or a game has been scraped off.” Said Ngumbi.

The team draws its players from self employed individuals and not fully professional players. Coach Ngumbi says that it has been a long journey grooming the team together and he

says for them, the sky can only be the limit. Through the hardships, they have crawled throughout and the future seems bright for them.

Coaching History Ngumbi started coaching the national team in 2004 after leaving his previos coach position at the NSSF. In 2002, he had coached the National Junior team which was crowned the East and Central Africa Champions and this is what gave him the nod to coach the senior team. Ngumbi was forced to leave his work after he found it hard balancing the two, deciding to dedicate his time and strength to the national team.

Then while picking up the national team, it was difficult getting players who were accustomed to the game and he was forced to start training players interested from the basics.

In 2004, his efforts bore fruit as he won his first cup with the team, lifting the East and Central Africa Senior Championships. In 2005 they participated in the World Club Championships where they finished third out of five countries.

He says that after these two endeavors, the team spirit rose and they begun to see light at the end of the tunnel.

In 2007, the debuted in the All African Games played in Algiers, Algeria where they finished 4th out of 8 participating countries.

“We were very happy competing for the first time and finishing in a good posi-

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

17

FEATURE tion. This showed me that there is great potential and we must work hard to ensure that it does not go to waste”, says Ngumbi.

In the same year, they also participated in the World games qualifiers in Morocco where they finished 4th out of eight countries. But that was the last time they would ever play competitive wheelchair basketball and the game went dormant for a whooping four years.

“We did not participate in anything from 2007. The game just went dormant like that. It is until this year when we were told of the All African Games and the Olympic Qualifiers that activities started. That is why we felt demoralized when we did not take part in the All African Games. The federation promised to take us to the Olympic Qualifiers but this never happened..

With all the disappointment the team spirit is still high with no chance of giving up.

Challenges faced The main challenge is basically finances and equipment. Wheelchair basketball is an expensive game as the coach tells us that one wheelchair costs about Sh100,000 and can only be imported from Europe because they are not available locally.

“The equipment is very expensive. Like now with the weak shilling against foreign currencies, one chair might now go for even almost 150,000 we were lucky the other day because Prince Charles from Britain came and donated about two chairs and promised more”, says Ngumbi.

The coach also laments that wheelchair basketball has not been given the kind of recognition it deserves.

“Very few people even know that this game exists. Though the government is doing something little for us and we appreciate, it still has not gone to the level we would like. My dream is to see this team raise to the levels of South Africa, Morroco and Algeria in Africa and this can only be achieved when we get the right support”, he says.

His sentiments are echoed by the Secretary General of the Wheelchair Bas-

18 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

ketball Federation Mathews Muganya.

He says that Resource mobilization has been their greatest stumbling block in their efforts to raise the game.

“We have had occasional sponsorships but they have not been that consistent. The longest sponsorship package we have had was between 2004 and 2008 where we were sponsored by NGO PACT Kenya. They helped us get some equipment, balls and even start branches from where we could grow the game. This game is 100% voluntary and the players are not paid to be here. Most of them are self employed and low income earners. That goes to show the level of commitment that is there within them”, says Muganya.

The federation’s goal as at now is to take the game to the grassroots by starting leagues in at least all the eight

provinces.

“We want to develop interest in the game with both the government and the corporate world. We are happy for the passage of the sports bill which will ensure that all sports in the country get at least an allocation of some sort in the yearly budget”, he says.

“Our long term goal is to see a country wide league started and also to see the team taking part in all major wheelchair basketball events”, he adds.

Currently, they are looking at the 2013 World Cup Qualifiers in Germany and the team is of high expectation that they will put up a formidable force for the games.

For sure it has been a great struggle for the Wheelchair basketball team and the sky is definitely the limit for them!

ATHLETICS

CONGRATULATIONS VIVIAN CHERUIYOT KENYA SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPIONS; 5,000 AND 10,000M, WINNER SENIOR CROSS COUNTRY 2011, PENTA UMBRIA, SPAIN

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

19

ATHLETICS

A Haven of Athletics

F

ormer American Secretary of State and 1973 Nobel Peace Laureate Henry Kissinger once said that the task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.

Kipchoge (“Kip”) Keino), the chairman of the National Olympic Committee – Kenya (NOC-K), a retired Kenyan track and field athlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist is a leader.

Kip Keino was among the first in a long line of successful middle and long distance runners in Kenya, and today he is helping and inspiring many young athletes to live their dream.

He is the brainchild behind The Kipkeino High Performance Training Center (HPTC Eldoret) a state-of-art athletics training ground in Eldoret, that is

quickly emerging as one of the country’s biggest pot of athletics ground.

Located in Eldoret town, about 15 minutes drive for the town center The Kipkeino High Performance Training Center is a haven to behold.

The center’s broad vision of becoming the home of athletics in Kenya and sparking a significant impact on athletics training in the country is not far from realization.

It is at this place that Ezekiel Kemboi, the 3000M steeplechase two-time world champion and Olympic champion was bred together with fellow athlete Asbel Kiprop, the first Kenyan to win a Gold medal in the 1500M IAAF world Championships.

Female athletes who have benefited from the initiative to make name include,

Janet Jepkosgei, 800M Olympic Silver medalist and Word Championship Bronze medalist and Veronica Jepkosgei 3000M Africa junior Bronze medalist.

“International athletes who have attended the high powered training include Moussa Camara from Mali and Sri-Lanka’s top runner Chaminda Wijekoon.”

Named after the former runner, Kip Keino, the idea behind the project was to provide an ideal training center for both middle and long distance athletes and when IAAF and IOC saw their prospects; they came in to boost the centre by way of giving training scholarships to interested and outstanding athletes all over the world.

According to Hilda Kigen, the facil-

ATHLETICS gether with other eight members of the centers’ support team in forging ways towards the realization of the centre’s core objectives.

“International athletes who have attended the high powered training include Moussa Camara from Mali and Sri-Lanka’s top runner Chaminda Wijekoon.” ity’s manager, the training ground has achieved much more than they thought at the time of its inception.

“Our slogan here is making champions and if you ask me, we have so far made substantial strides and just looking at the bulk of the athletes we have exposed to major events, we are happy with our feet” she notes.

The training center is run by competent coaches who come up with training programs that are then communicated to the athletes. There are various locations around the HPTC suitable for different training programs. One of them is the Kipkeino Stadium, which is municipally owned, located a few minutes’ drive from the town centre.

Another ideal ground is Moi University’s Chepkoilel Campus stadium located 15kms North of Eldoret and

Kaptagat forest trails located 25kms east of Eldoret.

Others include Kazi Mingi Cross country trails which is at the Centre’s backyard and has a total of about 4km of running trails and Saroiyot hill climb, just a stone throw away from the center..

The centre has three categories of rooms; single, double and triple rooms.

A modern television room is available with a gateway to satellite TV. Athletes enjoy their meals at a spacious dining room located at the center. Boardroom and study room are also available. Well equipped gym Physiotherapy room which has the latest ultra sound and infra red equipment.

Two world class coaches give instruction at the center, the duo, Joseph Ngure and Jimmy Beuattah work to-

Training the center involves vigorous track exercises, altitude and climate acclimatization programs and injury rehabilitation programmes.

According to Kip Keino who is the centers patron, he finds joy in helping youngsters parlay their talents.

“Nothing beats the feeling and the joy that comes with helping others develop their God given talents and guiding them to the paths of success” he offers.

Currently, Keino lives on a farm in Western Kenya where he controls and runs a charitable organization for orphans , and is chairman of the National Olympic Committee – Kenya (NOC-K) He is married to Phyllis Keino, (he is currently divorced from her, so its better if this is not mentioned) one son Martin was a two-time NCAA champion and highly successful pace-setter. Another son, Andrew, aka “Kippy”, is currently competing while going to school at the sametime.

He has built Kip Keino Primary School and Kipkeino high school located near Eldoret. Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is named after him.

In 1996, he was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was made an honorary Doctor of Law by the University of Bristol Earlier, Egerton University Nakuru had awarded him an honorary degree. His name, Kipchoge, is a Nandi language expression for “born near the grain storage shed”.

The training center’s future goal is to expand its facilities to accommodate sports tourists in addition to creating more space to interested athletes.

In addition to that, the center’s immediate target is to send more athletes than in the past to major athletics meetings such as the upcoming London 2012 Olympic games and the World Junior Championships to be hosted later in Barcelona in the month of June.

ATHLETICS

Seeing is Believing; StanChart Marathon.

When John Milton the great English poet wrote his widely known epic titled “Paradise lost” he was blind.

22 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

T

he writer went blind at the age of 43 just before penning the epic. However, the upbeat Milton didn’t allow blindness to pull him down and stop him from practicing literature.

Marla Runyan, America’s prolific runner was the first competitor of Olympic as a blind. Unlike John Milton, she was

By Francis Ontomwa,

blind from her birth. With her mental strength she competed with the other athletes at the highest stage of the world in 2000. She also participated in the Para Olympic in 2000 setting many records in Atlanta. A testament that disability is not inability!

Standard Chartered Bank bore an idea in the year 2003. The idea dubbed “seeing is believing” was launched as part of Standard Chartered Bank’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

And just like a young shoot, the idea was nurtured, attended to and managed with utmost keenness, and taking stock eight years down the line; the idea has grown in leaps and bounds closely attesting to the parable of the mustard seed in the holy book, The Bible, that grew bountifully.

Seeing is Believing is the Bank’s flagship sustainability initiative aimed at eradicating avoidable blindness. The initiative has helped restore sight to over 4,000 children in Kenya through the hospitals by today.

To achieve this feat, the Bank sponsors the annual Nairobi Marathon event whose main objective is to raise funds

ATHLETICS for the eradication of avoidable blindness among children under the age of nine years.

Kenyans Running to Restore Sight Since its launch it has helped 23 million people worldwide, giving more than 2.78 million people their sight back! The now popular Nairobi Marathon has registered great successes since its inception and year in year out the race has seen a growing number of participants from all walks of life.

According to the project’s official website www.nairobimarathon.com , Standard Chartered Bank in 2007 partnered with Christian Blind Mission (CBM) in the Seeing is Believing project and they provided the technical expertise in eye care.

CBM have since supported the Bank by proactively identifying beneficiary hospitals, giving advice on areas of intervention and purchase of eye care equipment. At the initial launch of Seeing is Believing in 2003, the Bank’s target was to raise funds to restore the eyesight of 28,000 people. Such was the enthusiasm with which the staff adopted the challenge, that year the Bank achieved twice its initial target.

Since then, the ambition of “Seeing is Believing” has grown exponentially.

The Bank then embarked on Phase II of Seeing is Believing where US$6 million was raised to contribute to 1 million sight restorations. This goal was achieved by World Sight Day 2007.

tre, Lighthouse for Christ Eye Centre, both at the Coast; Sabatia Eye Hospital in Western Kenya and Tenwek Hospital Eye Unit in the Rift Valley The inaugural marathon in the year 2003 saw a 32 year old farmer from Kapsabet Philip Kitui winning in the men category clocking 2:15:40 to complete the 12 km race. In the women’s category, 27-year old Alice Chelangat was the queen!

The runner who had won the 2001 Milan Marathon and the 2002 Rock “n” Roll Marathon in San Diego she finished the race in a time of 2:41:27.

Last year, hard fighting David Barmaasai won the race to beat his competitors in a time of 2.10.31 while Hellena Kirop finished the race in 2.31.11 to triumph in the women’s category.

Share the Vision Beats Target The theme of this year’s marathon, Share the Vision, built heavily on what the initiative has achieved over the previous eight editions, especially in its contribution to ‘Seeing is Believing”.

The Bank’s target this year was to raise over Ksh.20 million for the charity, up from KShs.16 million raised in 2010.

Earnest Kebenei and Toroitich Margaret won this year’s event. Kebenei clocked 2:10:54 to be crowned Cham-

pion with Franklin Chepkwony coming in second just five seconds later while Simon Kiprop settled for third place after clocking 2:11:54.

Toroitich won the women’s race cutting the tape as the clock stopped at 2:30:17 after taking command of the race just after the 21km mark. Winfridah Kwamboka came in second timing 2:31:33 as Emily Chepkorir settled for third place, timing 2:34:21.

From the look of things, it is a bright future for Nairobi Marathon. More participants are registering for the event and the competition is getting stiffer and stiffer. And of course by all means is good news to thousands of blind children across the country who benefit from this noble initiative.

The founder of the Missionaries of Charity and recipient of the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize philanthropist Mother Teresa once said that we can do no great things but only small things with great love. The holy book, The Bible also puts things palpably clear that it is far better off to give than to receive.

Standard Chartered Bank and like minded corporate bodies have not only chartered the way for others to follow but also laid the foundation of charity for humanity in this country!

New Eye Clinics Under Phase III the Bank funded the expansion of the eye clinics at Kapsabet District Hospital, Kapenguria District Hospital and Iten District Hospital. The new clinics have consultation rooms, mini theatres and state-of-theart eye equipment.

Through the proceeds of the Nairobi Marathon, in partnership with Christian Blind Mission, the Bank has sponsored cataract, glaucoma and trauma related surgeries for needy children under the age of nine at five hospitals country wide.

These health centres include Kikuyu Eye Hospital, Kwale District Eye Cen-

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

23

SPORTS JOINTS

Sports Bar profile: Blancos Sports Bar Kenyan Sports is getting its groove back, and bringing in new moves with it. Sports entertainment venues have not been a common beat on the Kenyan Sports rhythm, where on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon, folks put on their to die for team jerseys, get piled up in the back of the family car, as it goes without saying that mummy and daddy get to be in the front-duh!

Daddy’s driving!-and head on the long laborious drive to the stadium for 90minutes of watching The Leopards verses the sugar millers, then on the drive back home comparing our local players with our English premier league soccer idols, and talking of how we can never measure up-not until Macdonald and Dennis prove our know -it –all fathers wrong do we then feel the courage to chip in to the ever one-sided conversation.

Then in came rugby sevens, and we no longer look down on our local players,

24 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

as they too have become reason for us to get that DSTV dish, and if we cannot afford to, go to the nearest Sports entertainment venue to support our own as they make us proud on foreign soil!

Now that they too can have their faces shown on the Supersports 3, it is our undefined obligation to find that place that makes the game come alive! And dutifully cheer them on!

If hanging out with family is one of your key principles, you don’t have to be a Gaddaffi about it. A drive to a place where as you catch Macdonald Mariga in Spain, your boys can catch on young Messy as your ladies catch on the latest Tiger Woods gossip. A recent addition to the sports entertainment scenes in East and Central Africa, Blancos offers a sporty and casual ambience for both your local and international sports interests from 11am on Monday to 12pm on Sundays. With a super imposing bar close to the plas-

By Stephanie Haan

ma screens and offering one an option of multiple viewing angles, a patio set apart for smoking sports enthusiasts, an exclusive lounge seating set apart for ‘VIVPs’ –i.e. Very Important Viewing Parties- and corporate functions as well, not forgetting the zone with a panoramic view where you can catch the ambience of the ever busy Nairobi life along with your chatty or gossipy friends. The best part is even when you have to visit the little boys/girls room, the game follows you there-or you follow it there-cause believe it or not, they got screens for you in there!

A drive to the Karen- Langata junction mall and up the steps into the Blancos Sports Grill will give you a feel of breaking an Oyster shell and finding the pearl lying still in all its tranquility.

So you think Nyayo’s too crowded for your liking? Don’t you fret, ‘cause Blancos Sports Grill’s got your back!

PICTORIAL

From Kampala to Nyayo Stadium at the Safari

Beer and Biiiig hands to

hold the jars!

Jaro soja could not forget his baby and a pack of Tuzo milk. and so dis Juma not forget his Leopard!

Much to the delight of the female fans and the guests, the Samoans perform the popular Haka

26 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

Even the members of the fourth estate had to enjoy themselves in Kampala

Mohammed Ali was not in Namboole for Jicho pevu.

AT least the jersey and the company tell us so!

Nope, it was not haloween, it was rugby! And aren’t they gorgeous

PICTORIAL

com Sevens, our cameras rove for the best!

Nothing to do with global warming that the hair turned green

Okay, so the Ocampo six are as famous in Uganda as they are in Kenya

Rugby without the beauties is never complete.

The picture speaks for itself

The fans painted part of the Namboo And they loved it

This fan also brought his big baby alongside him for the Safaricom sevens

The little ones too were not left behind

le red!

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

27

TENNIS

Tennis is Her Second Name She is all about Tennis and at 34; her Tennis CV is impressive to say the least. Veronica ‘Tennis’ talked to Kenyanstar about her passion for tennis and her love for the kids at the Zion Zone Tennis Foundation, situated in Kibera.

By Stephanie Haan

Most people would agree with me when I say that one of the major ingredients for a long, fulfilling life is passion. I’m not saying this because I have lived longer, no- I’m probably half as old as most of you who are reading this. I say this because my grandpa told me that the days he felt the essence of living were the days in which he got to do that which he was passionate about, in his case farming was his passion.

Tennis star Andre Agassi ends most of his seminars with the catch phrase, “Live with passion!” Corny?

Perhaps. Significant? Absolutely!

Passion: what gets you up early and keeps you up late. I seem to notice that those who are passionate about something in their lives are definitely healthier, more productive and most importantly happier. People can be passionate about many things. Books, art, the theatre and yes, TENNIS! Tennis coach, tennis player, founder of a tennis foundation for the less fortunate, and a council member of the Kenya Lawn Tennis Association, Veronica Odogo is a force to reckon with.

Living in a third world country- money is extremely tight and with a session on tennis, one gets to part with a cool Sh700 for group tennis lessons, and Sh2000 for private tennis lessons, branding tennis in Kenya, and globally an elitist’s sport. Therefore for Veronica teaching herself seemed like quite a viable solution. She got to develop her own style of play, through picking up a few pointers from her peers and taking the occasional lesson when possible.

Not so big but its something Owing to her experience with tennis, she chooses

28 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

TENNIS

to be practical about her teaching at the foundation. The kids there cannot afford to play tennis at the same level as those who play it from other parts of the country, the likes of Sadili Oval, Guru Pratakh. However, this in her opinion, should not qualify them to be written off from the tennis world. So by running this foundation, Veronica offers the kids an opportunity to make it in life. The walls they have to scale may be higher, but with tennis as a climber, they could get to better their live, not just for themselves, but also for their parents and unborn siblings.

Though the foundation does not have a consistent donor yet, so some times sourcing for equipment presents a challenge, this does not stop her from showing up on every other break of dawn, save for Tuesday, the only day she gets to horn her skills as a player, just to add some value to several not so fortunate kids. She believes that her vision is God given, so if it calls for cutting down on her practice time, then Veronica does not think twice about it.

The games and her achievements Veronica has gone ahead to represent Kenya, under self -sponsorship in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Lesotho. At the age of 26 she was ranked 2nd in the country. This only served to increase her love for the game. Not forgetting in 2002, when she and a fellow player, Evelyn Otula, set out for the money circuit in South Africa.

Asked about her greatest achievement in tennis so far, her face brightens as she humbly goes on to talk about the prices she has received both within and without of the tennis society. She got an award for the outreach community programme in 2007, by the Kenya Lawn Tennis Society. On her shelf also stands the Sports person Of the Year Award (SOYA awards) for the reigning year 2009-2010.

As the Public Service tennis captain, she laments about the discouraging turnout of players at the club. She however commends the young players who ran the college tennis tournament.

Asked about some of the reasons why tennis has been “dead” in the country, she explains that “Despite being an expensive sport, the fact that clubs require one to be a member before they can get to use the club courts is a contributor is a call that does not make the situation any better”.

When she was first introduced to tennis, Veronica was in India, she was then a student at the Kalsa College.

When she came back to the country, she wanted to build on her newly found passion. However, she couldn’t watch as much tennis as she did out there, a disheartening discovery, but which again could not deter her from following her newly found passion. She read books, and watched on court matches as many times as she could manage.

It was this passion that landed her on a court and hitting as many balls as she could, anytime she could get a chance

to. Veronica started attending tournaments, with not much to go by, except for what she had seen or read or heard, and admits to getting off to a pretty discouraging start of a 6-0;6-1 loss to a then veteran in the sport. She soon realized that this was not enough, and so went ahead to enlist the help of Coach Peter Wachira.

Looking Beyond In the 34 years she has lived, she has one lesson to share “In this life if you want to do something, put your heart to it, and don’t let people determine how far you go. You determine how far you go, as long as it is in line with God’s will.”

As we are about to part ways, after an hour of looking into the life of such an inspirational lady who took a leap into the sporting world, she receives confirmation of her flight tickets, as she is getting ready to attend a leadership summit in the USA, and she is taking with her two of her best players from the foundation, a sign of appreciation for the good work they are doing.

We hope that Isaiah Entali and Judith Nkatha Moraa (the two children she’s taking with her) will come back to the country as better and inspired tennis students.

Veronica looks forward to a expanding her foundation, and having tennis centers not just in Kibera, but also move on to Mathare and beyond. Veronica Osogo, a true definition of passionate living.

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

29

RUGBY

S N E V E S M O C I R A F SA NAMENT

TOUR S N E V E S GBY

R RU

REMIE AFRICA’S P

saw ed fun base s a re c in e h T cation shift an abrupt lo

increased

This years Safaricom sevens was held at the Nyayo National stadium shifting from it’s original venue of the RFUEA grounds along Ngong road.

Since it’s inception 16 years ago, the tournament was moved in -order to create enough room for the enormous crowds at the event which is Africa’s premier sevens tournament.

The Union’s chairman Mwangi Muthee said that the move was done to attract top sevens playing nations that will be headed for the opening leg of the IRB World Sevens Circuit in Australia.

30 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

aud

er forcing ience numb

the event to

By Carrey Ombaka

The success of the move could act as a springboard to the union’s ambitions and a bid to host one of the legs on the IRB World Sevens Circuit Already, the IRB has announced its intentions to upgrade the tournaments on the Circuit from eight to 10 next season.

Muthee also noted that the main reason of moving it from June to November was to make it co-incide with the International calender. The tournament was also to be used as a build up by teams before the IRB Sevens Circuit commences in Australia and Dubai.

make

New Sponsors, New Name The tournament changed its name from the Tusker Safari Sevens to the SafaricomSevens last year when the mobile telephone provider announced its three-year sponsorship. Safaricom gave Sh25 million for last year’s action and the package is expected to increase each year. While the tournament has grown in stature, it is yet to consistently attract top nations, especially those playing in the IRB World Sevens Series.

Giants Samoa were in Nairobi for this

RUGBY

year’s event and won the final beating Samurai 31-14. The Sothern Pacific Islanders outsmarted their opponents by showing a lot of energy and flair as they cruised to win the tournament. The Samoans performed their original haka known as the Siva Tau or war dance after they won the tournament.

Kenya were knocked out in the semifinals by Samurai. A franchise team comprising of players from Fiji, England, and South Africa. New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu who was supposed to be the guest of honour

also did not turn up due to illness.

Lomu who played for New Zealand in the 1995 rugby world cup is currently suffering from kidney failure.

The future of the Tournament The tournament, which was previously staged in June each year, will in future be held in November to attract more participation from international sides and foreign clubs. Despite there being over 40 million shillings in sponsorship from various sponsors the Safari Sevens still does not offer any prize

money. There are some commentators of the opinion that until prize money is offered the tournament will continue to be subject to late withdrawals from major teams. This year’s edition had a late withdrawal from crowd favourites British Army who won the tournament in their maiden appearance back in 2001.

Sponsorship In the first year the tournament was run on a shoe-string budget provided by the Rugby Patrons Society and the

KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

31

RUGBY KRFU. In its second year the tournament was sponsored by East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), the makers of Tusker beer and became known as the Tusker Safari Sevens.

In 2008, EABL sponsored the event with a donation of KSh24 million. In 2009 this was increased to KSh 26 million, of which KSh20 million was allocated to go directly to KRFU for the running of the tournament and for their development work in Kenya. The other KSh6 million was earmarked to be spent on various peripheral supports, most notably media during the

event.

EABL remained the sponsors up to, and including, the 2009 event; Safaricom became the main sponsor in 2010 and the tournament changed its name to the Safaricom Sevens to reflect this. Safaricom donated Sh25 million, which was to be divided into two parts; Ksh22 million being directed towards the running of the annual tournament, the remaining KSh3 million was spent on sponsoring a Media Centre at the event.

Previous Winners of the Safaricom Sevens 1996 Public School Wanderers (U.K.) 40 -14 Zimbabwe (Kenya won the plate while Cumbria schoolboys won the Bowl)

2004 Kenya 10-7 Emerging Springboks (Golden Lions (S.A.) won the plate, Shujaa (Kenya A) won the bowl while Kenya Commercial Bank RFC won the shield)

1997 Kenya 24-21 Cumbria School Boys (U.K.) (Public School Wanderers (U.K.) won the plate while Uganda won the bowl)

2005 Samoa 50-5 Western Province (S.A.) (Zimbabwe won the plate while Tanzania won the bowl)

1998

Bristol University Select (U.K.) 33-7 Samurai Inter national (Lusaka RFC (Zambia) won the plate while Zimbabwe won the bowl)

2006 Emerging Springboks 26-22 Zimbabwe (Uganda won the plate while Shujaa (Kenya A) won the bowl.

Botswana won the shield)

1999

2007 Emerging Springboks 27-17 Zimbabwe

Public School Wanderers (U.K.) 25-22 Bristol Univer sity Select (U.K.) (Uganda won the plate while Kenya Harlequins won the bowl) 2000 Shujaa (Kenya A) 26-24 Bristol University Select (U.K.) (London Scottish (U.K.) won the plate)

2008 Kenya 31-12 Emerging Springboks (Bristol University Select (U.K.) won the plate while Japan won the bowl. The shield was won by Zambia)

2001 British Army 45-26 Bristol University Select (U.K.)

2009 Kenya 40-19 Emerging Springboks (Hamilton Raiders RFC (S.A.) won the plate while Bristol University Select (U.K.) won the bowl. Japan won the shield)

2002 British Army 40-7 Kenya (London Irish (U.K.) won the plate while Ulinzi Stars RFC (Kenya) won the bowl and Uganda Kobs RFC (Uganda) won the shield)

2010 Kenya 17-12 Emerging Springboks (Ponsonby RFC (N.Z.) won the plate, Argentina won the Bowl while Hamilton Raiders RFC (S.A.) won the shield)

2003 Kenya 29-7 Emerging Springboks (Zambia won the plate, London Irish (U.K.) won the bowl while Lagos RFC, Nigeria won the shield)

2011 Samoa 31-14 samurai (Auckland vikings(N.Z) won the plate while Belmonte shore won the bowl)

The winners Samoa

The Samoans perform the popular Haka

POEM

34 KENYANSTAR JAN-MAR 2012

VOLLEYBALL

Up-coming Volleyball Star Farida Efumbi seeks to unsit Wacu, Wanja as national team setters

By Timothy Olobulu

Looking at her on the first instant, you would quickly dismiss her as a player who is not capable of much. Maybe due to her small stature or the blushing smile but wait until she sets foot on the volleyball courts. She is aggressive, hardworking and brainy.

Meet Farida Efumbi, the setter of the Kenya Commercial Bank Volleyball team. Having played volleyball since high school and majored into top cream action after high school, the 24 year old Farida believes that the sky can only be the limit for her.

She was influenced to play Volleyball by her family, her father being the chairman of the Kenya Volleyball Federation, Western region, her mother also having played the game in college, she started playin volleyball in her early years at Nzoia Sugar Primary School.

It was in high school that her flower blossomed and she grew into a full fledged setter playing for Lugulu Girls High School and amongst their many national titles, she boasts of being part of the team crowned East African Champions in 2005 and 2006.

She joined Kenya Pipeline after high school where she played for a whole year before joining Kenya Prisons for two years. While with Prisons she participated in her first major event in the African Club Champs and also the East African Championships.

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VOLLEYBALL

However her star shone brightly in 2008 when she moved to KCB. “At Prisons, I was not used to playing frequently because at that time there were other very good setters with huge experience. Going to KCB was really good for me as I got more playing time and I became better. It was while playing for KCB in the 2009 Club Championships that I was named the best setter. This was a very good time for my career and I really felt happy”, said the Hospitality Management second year Kenyatta University Student.

She now puts her sights on completely outsitting the duo of Jane Wacu and Janet Wanja as the national team’s top setters. She was called for the very first time to the national this year when the team was preparing for the African Club Championships that were held at the African Nazarene University and believes that was the start of better things in her career.

“It should not always be Wacu or Wanja who are the faces of the national team. I believe we should have differ-

ent people and I am working hard to be the difference. I have only been called to the national team once but could not make it to the final squad. But that was just the start; better things are on the way”, she says.

Now on her mind is the African Club Championships which her Club KCB have qualified for after beating Ulinzi in the National Play offs late November.

Farida says that they will be out to better this year’s performance where they finished 12th, their worst ever.

“This year, so many of our first team players were not available and it was a hard tournament for us. I first played for the team in the Club Championships in 2009 where we finished second and last year we managed 3rd. In the next championships, we should work real hard to ensure that we perform better”, she adds.

The setter who admires Jane Wacu and Japanese setter Yoshie Takoshita as her role models can dare dream of the Stars and land on the moon. She is a star in the making!

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SPORTS & DRUGS

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Driving the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

R

ecent scientific evidence has singled out alcohol and drug abuse as one of the major drivers of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya and the world over. This can be attributed to the fact that alcohol and drug abuse makes the individual lose self-control and the ability to make sound life decisions, which may drive him/her into risky behaviours that promote HIV infections.

As such, people who abuse alcohol and other drugs have a higher chance of contracting HIV. Similarly, people living with HIV are more likely to abuse drugs to counter denial, stigma and stressful conditions associated with the condition.

youth. Majority of miraa consumers spend more than half their domestic budget on the substance and at least 32% associated it with absenteeism in learning institutions, school drop outs and family break-ups. Heroin is also gaining footage, especially among youth in Coast Province and Nairobi. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) mapped a total of 12,201 heroin users in Nairobi and Coast Province in April 2007.

It is this drug abuse culture and lifestyle that fuels the HIV infection rates. So, how does alcohol and drug abuse drive the HIV epidemic?

Two major ways – through risky sexual behaviour after intoxication and sharing of contaminated drug injecting equipment.

Alcohol and drug abuse in Kenya A study by NACADA in 2007 revealed that nationally 13% of the population currently consumes alcohol. Illicit brews and second generation alcohol are highly abused, over 15% of 15–64 year olds currently consume chang’aa.

Bhang smoking is also rampant as evidenced by numerous bhang seizures; Police netted bhang worth Ksh3 million in July 2009 only, pointing to a booming market.

A NACADA survey in May 2009 revealed that 10.6% of respondents in Coast Province alone smoke bhang, the highest consumption (12%) being amongst 29-39 year olds.

On the other hand, miraa is consumed by over 11% of Kenyan

Alcohol and HIV infection Heavy alcohol use is associated with high-risk sexual behaviour - multiple sex partners, unprotected intercourse, sex with high-risk partners, and exchange of sex for money or drugs. Studies consistently demonstrate that people who believe that alcohol enhances sexual arousal and performance are more likely to practice risky sex when drunk.

Among the youth, alcohol abuse is sometimes deliberately meant to provide an excuse for socially unacceptable behavior or to reduce conscious awareness of risk.

Some youths in Kenya jam bars drinking themselves crazy to get courage to “tune” or make sexual advances they ordinarily would not do if they were sober. Heavy drink-

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ing and HIV/AIDS has also been blamed for the increased medical and psychiatric complications, delays in seeking treatment and reduced HIV medication compliance.

Recent research has found that HIV patients on antiviral therapy and are currently drinking have greater HIV progression than those who do not drink since alcohol abuse compromises the immunity function.

As such, preventing alcohol abuse among the youth is particularly important since HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death among 15 - 24 year olds in Kenya.

Injecting drug use and HIV infection The link between injecting drug use and HIV infection is clearly established. Injecting drug use refers to intravenous self-administration of drugs, especially heroin. Injecting drug users (IDUs) are at greater risk of HIV infection since they occasionally share injecting equipment at the spar of the moment owing to strong craving and also due to lack of new clean ones that cost money.

The “blood flashing” phenomenon involves retrieving blood from an IDU who has just injected heroin and injecting the blood in the vein of a second IDU. Apart from directly transmitting HIV, flashing exposes the user to hepatitis infection and death due to instant agglutination from incompatible blood. Blood flashing and sharing of needles make injecting drug use “the most efficient way of transmitting HIV.” In fact, a UNODC study in 2004 found high prevalence of HIV among IDUs

SPORTS & DRUGS in Nairobi and Mombasa - between 68% and 88%.

Interventions to reduce impact of drug abuse and HIV infection Outreach activities involving education and care provision for alcohol and drug users help in mitigating the impact of drug abuse and HIV. NACADA in its preventive education and public awareness campaigns targets to enlighten the public about the link between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Some of the IEC materials produced by the Authority specifically address this link with a view to empowering Kenyans to make informed decisions in regard to alcohol and drug abuse as well as their HIV/ AIDS risk. This is supported by the life skills campaign conducted through youth and faith-based initiatives for behaviour and attitude change.

Another intervention is improving access to preventive education and commodities such as condoms, provision of VCT services, and availing anti-retroviral therapy. These services target most-at-risk populations such as alcohol and drug dependent persons. The UNODC is already running a project that refers IDUs for addiction treatment and HIV care. UNODC statistics show that by September 2008, over 24,000 heroin users had benefited from both drug treatment and HIV care services.

It is imperative that the Kenyan society appreciates the gravity of alcohol and drug abuse and the impact it has on all spheres of life. This way, efforts aimed at implementing interventions against alcohol and drug abuse as well as HIV/AIDS may receive community and national support. On the other hand, healthcare providers are

encouraged to constantly screen their HIV/AIDS/STIs patients for alcohol and drug abuse and that patients being treated for chemical dependence are screened for HIV/AIDS.

Do you know what the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010 says about YOU AND ALCOHOL ?

No person shall promote an alcoholic drink so as to create a false impression that it is ok to consume an alcoholic drink before or while engaging in sports or other activities that require concentration. Failure to adhere leads to a fine of Kshs. 500,000 or 3 years imprisonment or both.

Alcohol shall not be sold to persons under the age of 18 years. Failure to adhere leads to a fine or Kshs. 150,000 or 12 months imprisonment or both.

Promotion of alcohol at events or activities associated with persons under the age of 18 years is prohibited. Failure to adhere leads to a fine of Kshs. 500,000 or 3 years imprisonment or both.

The Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (2010) protects the individual, family and community from alcohol abuse. Read the Act to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as provided in the Act. You may access the Act by visiting www.nacada.go.ke.

Alcohol and drug abuse inhibits performance in sports Get the facts. Stay safe. Be informed

National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority, NSSF Building, Block A, Eastern Wing 18th Floor P.O. Box 10774 - 00100 Nairobi TEL: +254 20 2721997, Email:info@nacada.go.ke, Website:www.nacada.go.ke 24 hrs helpline number : 0800 72 00 33

EXERCISE

MY UNCLE;

The ExerciseByUncle Stephanie Haan He’s one of those guys Who owns a beach house in Zanzibar,Drives a Merc, shows up at his office In sweatpants just cause he can.

It’s one of those weekends when I get to spend the weekend with my coolest uncle. On Friday evening at the dinner table, he makes a point of outlining his weekend plots just so my cousins and I can place ourselves where we think we best fit. The list always ranges from swimming at Windsor to picnics at Safari park to visiting children’s homes or sick people at Kenyatta hospital (he’s a very generous man, my uncle).

On this particular day, I decide to see if the man is all talk or if he can actually run for a straight hour with no break. Well, not that I doubt him; I just want to find out if I too can or if this foggie is just good at everything I suck at. So on Saturday morning, I meet him at the patio as he heads for his morning run. I lace up my running shoes tight, and just before I put on my head phones, I prop my foot up the pavement and bend forward to bend my hamstrings, then straighten up for a calf stretch.

I jump up and down a couple of times to get my blood going, and then pull my iPod out of my pocket ready to wear them. I then turn to my uncle whom all along I had turned my back to, and to my chagrin, the old man is holding his side like he’s in pain. He’s bent over so I can’t tell the expression on his face. My heart does those things only acrobats do as I rush to his side, worry written all over my face, only to find the old man is actually laughing his heart out! Do I look funny in a headband?

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My Humiliation He puts his hand on my shoulder and dabs at his tearful eyes with the other, and says “Just give me a few minutes to catch my breath.

You sweetheart can really be funny if you mean to.” The puzzled look on my face only makes his shoulders keep jerking as he roars in laughter, at which point am now smiling, more out of politeness, cause deep inside I honestly feel like squeezing the breathe out of him. After some 9 minutes of continuous laughter, he finally gets a grip and utters through a refrained laugh “What was all that you just did?”

“Uncle, you know I was warming up for the run. I told you I’d be joining you for today” “Oh! That was you warming up? I could have sworn you were trying to shake a pebble out of your shoe. So I thought why don’t you just open up the laces, pick it out and tie them back?”

Again, a blank look from me, though this time it’s an enlightened blank look. He pats me on the back and with the wisdom of a man who has been exercising since national youth service was a given after high school, he says “Am glad you chose to do this with me, at least I can pass on this knowledge on what matters most to me”.

He turns suddenly and starts walking briskly down the pavement. I put my iPod back in my

EXERCISE

pocket and follow him, figuring that he’ll be my music for this session.

Stretching Lesson from Uncle “To improve range of motion and to avoid injury, you need to stretch, just don’t do it when muscles are cold.

Start with some mild aerobic warm ups to get blood to tissue before doing any stretching. Brisk walking or slow jogging for about five minutes, rather than stretching before exercising works better. Warming up increases blood flow, which increases the temperature in the muscle, which makes the collagen fibres more elastic like a rubber band.”

After walking a few steps, he lifts his leg straight out in front of him, alternating with the normal stride length. We then keep walking a few more steps, and then he brings his right up and twists it towards his left as he gently turns his upper body to the right. He does this on each side. After about five minutes of this, we stop by a bench that is down the street. He starts rotating his arms in circles for about a minute, then his hips follow. “Do dynamic stretches.

Slow controlled movement,” he says.”

Goose step march is an effective hamstring stretch, while the knee lifts and butt kicks stretch the quadriceps.”

I’ve heard about the butt kicks before, but I didn’t see him do it at any point, so I bend my knee and lift it behind me as if am trying to kick myself in the butt, then like a child whose been chided and knows she has to win back her discipliner’s approval, I blurt out “Like this? Is this the butt kick?” “Spot on!,” he says as he gives me a high fivequite the reaction I needed to perk up my spirits.

“Do several repetitions of 30 seconds each at your own pace dear. The point

is to do the movements in a controlled way. Stop if you get tired so you still have energy for your workout.”

Doing it Right is Rewarding “If you get to the house first, you get to drive me around tomorrow,” It doesn’t need asking twice to know that I’d look hot in a Merc, so off I jet like a fired rocket. Not once do I look back to see how far I left the old man.

Fifteen minutes after I get to the house and flop on the couch, he walks in, his sweat shirt all drenched in sweat. ”Now don’t go dressing up all in black just so you can match the colour of my car. We leave at 8am This day, there’s a family gathering at his place, so I figure I won’t be driving till the following day, on a Sunday as we head to church (he’s a religious one too, my uncle). All day long, I walk around with this smirk on my face, hopping around as I lend my auntie a hand here and there. Soon the families arrive, and I finally get to sit. I figure after the morning’s run, I deserve a whole day’s worth of rest, as my own reward for finally beating my uncle at something. Evening comes, and then morning, the day I get to look super-hot! I jump out of bed and SHAKS! A strong pain runs up the back of my left thigh that gets me to flop back onto the bed and scream out. My cousin who’s room is next to mine bursts in to check out what’s wrong. I point at my leg as the pain is too excruciating for me to even speak. Soon my auntie and uncle are crowding my room, trying to find out what the yelling’s about. “My leg hurts, I think it’s from yesterday’s run,” I cry out.

My Smart Uncle… He knew it all Along.

“What did you do after the run?” asks

my uncle as he expertly feels the leg and presses on specific points, which to my surprise eases the pain dramatically. “I got in and was too tired, so I rested on the couch.”

“Ever heard of static stretching?

Stretching that is done after a workout or competition?”

I decide to treat this as a rhetorical question, knowing that I don’t want him holding up his hand with his palm out, saying “Stop! You are killing me! I can’t take it anymore.” between spasms of laughter.

Moral of the story is I don’t get to look hot in a Merc…well, at least not on that day. But I got to learn a life lesson on Stretching techniques.

Never stretch to the point of pain. Forget the phrase “No pain, no gain”. You do NOT want pain when you are doing dynamic stretching. Make it gentle and progressive. When doing your static stretching, go for the point of slight discomfort, and intensity. However, if you are making a face, your muscle is contracting to protect itself, which is counter responsive.

Stretch to de-stress As you know, your mind affects your body, and your body affects your mind.

During times of emotional stress, the muscles in your body tend to contract.

This is an adaptive response to acute stress as it fortifies your ‘body armor’ so that in times of danger, if you get hit for example, your muscles help to protect you.

However in times of chronic stress, these same mechanisms that have evolved to protect us can create problems-chronically stressed muscles, especially those in the back and neck, predispose to chronic pain or injury.

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EXERCISE

Pre- Match Warm Up Pre-Match warm up may be all it takes to win that crucial match.

By Carrey Ombaka

There are many views on how long and exactly what should be involved in rugby warm ups. Effective prematch warm-up drills can make all the difference to your team’s performance. The drills are important because they assist in mental and physical preparation as well as boosting the team’s morale and confidence.

Whether you like your players to turn up four hours or 30 minutes before the game, there are many views on how long and exactly what should be involved in a pre-match warm-up.

Eye on the weather Be mindful of the weather when you warm up.

During the cold season, hamstring’s are one of the most common injuries that players might contract, so the warm ups should be intense but not too much to cause burnout in a player before the game. Dynamic stretches should also be incorporated during the warm up so that the muscles can adjust properly to the climatic conditions.

Mental preparation All players are different in the way they prepare mentally for games.

Sometimes a player may even be different from match to match.

Some players will want quiet reflection while others will need physical and verbal psyche to prepare themselves. Respecting this can be quite difficult as game time approaches and the anxiety grows.

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A coach may lias with the captain to prepare players according to their individual needs.

Rehearse for the game There is no doubt that some form of physical preparation, involving a mental and physical rehearsal for the game, is important in the warm up drill. However, it is also worth establishing a routine to help players move quickly between the rehearsals. This is to avoid time wasting, but also to maintain some movement so the players don’t lose the benefits of the body warm up drills.

The players should be guided on the roles they will play in the game such as mauling for the forwards and running lines for the backs. Defence skills and rucking techniques should also be included for all players.

Build intensity How many times has a coach, captain or even a player shouted at his teamates to wake up and get ready for the game in the warmup drills. The pace of the warm up sometimes reaches fever pitch with the game still a long time off. And what is to be gained from shouting at someone who has not tuned in to the practice?

A player who makes lots of mistakes in a warm up and is shouted at may be become de-motivated. The way forward is to grade the warm up drills, to build towards the level of intensity you want before a game.

Therefore players can feel their way

in, before there is a short burst of intensity where players can heighten their awareness.

Back into the changing rooms Most sides like to return to the changing rooms before returning for the kick off. However, there is a danger that the physical and mental momentum of the warm up drills can be lost by a long period of sitting down and listening before going back out.

Use the time to gather thoughts, check last minute adjustments, then focus and return to the pitch.

Rugby warm up drills • Two laps on the pitch: Good for players to understand their environment, including weather and pitch variations, as well as to warm up the body.

• Dynamic stretches: These include controlled high kicks, lunges, fast feet, and forward rolls.

• Simple ball drills: Getting players attuned to one another and preparing the team psychologically for the game at hand.

• Set pieces work: For forwards, some simple line outs and a couple of scrums if a scrum machine is available. For backs, go through some of the basic moves and attacking options.

• Defence: The starting team should run the ball unopposed then after a few runs, they can now start defending when the substitutes run the ball. Rotation of the players is important so that everyone can participate.

EXERCISE

SPORTS DOCTOR: Managing Concussions

By Bruce Juma

Incase of concussion Move the athlete carefully And avoid secondary injuries Through careless movements

A

concussion is a head injury associated with the brain and is one of f the most career/life threatening injuries that can befall an athlete. Almost 10% of cases involving soccer/football players have been reported worldwide. Concussions come as a result of brain shaking inside the skull [Os cranium] and can be as a result of either direct or indirect blow to the head. This short-lived neurological [nerve] impairment can cause change in behavior, awareness and/or physical being.

Direct blow can be a direct hit to the head maybe from a stick, ball or player falling directly to the ground with his/her head.

Indirect blow makes the brain crash into the skull and the forces that cannot be absorbed makes the athlete change direction suddenly. This can happen when two players collide An accelerating player colliding with another player can produce a rapid back and forth head and neck movement. This back and forth motion causes extra forces between brain, blood vessels, nerves and the surrounding tissue attachments.

Forces not absorbed are directed to the brain and brain cells become abnormal.

Diagnosis and Treatment To be able to detect if a player has con-

cussion or not, one must be able to be aware of the athlete’s normal personality. Always be keen and detect early signs and symptoms. When assessing a player, you MUST never move the athlete! Do an accurate sideline assessment and rule out any serious brain injury. Minimize any risk of secondary injury that might involve the neck and spinal cord as this may lead to paralysis. Assess consciousness by observing eye, v verbal and motor response.

Should you suspect a serious concussion, the athlete should be moved out of the field of play immediately and CAREFULLY by either being strapped to a spinal board and the head supported firmly from both sides. This support helps to minimize unnecessary movements of the head and neck.

Post concussion symptoms such as nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, dizziness, headache, sensitivity to light, irritability, ringing inside ears and poor co-ordination or balance must be observed and recorded at all times.

The return to play process is gradual bearing in mind this is a career/life threatening injury. Only upon receiving clearance from a medical doctor should one venture back to normal activity. Remember, symptoms are still symptoms even if they occur randomly!!!

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SPORTS AND DRUGS‌ Part I

By Gregory Mulemi

T

he unfortunate thing is that athletes in the country are not aware of the importance of having good health and keeping themselves drug free as they undertake this lucrative venture.

Many Kenyan athletes have always found themselves in the wrong foot with federations and the International Olympic Organization for taking banned substances before events.

Many of the athletes who have fallen prey to the pills that enhance performances in games and this has made it

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hard for those who want to be champions illegally.

During the Sidney 2000 Olympics, triple Olympic champion Marion Jones swept almost all the medals in her discipline raising eyebrows on how she could do that without getting fatigued. She ruled the world at that time and when the reality rained on her, she lost her self esteem and this has dented her image totally. As much as many athletes want to have fame, making it through the use of drugs is not recommended for the sake of a clean conscience. Putting

in more effort is always the best thing to do and people will appreciate you for who you really are.

Pills for best performance? Say NO Many researchers have questioned the use of pills to enhance performance and this has not gone well with many.

An American doctor-Gabe Mirkin in 1967 questioned the need for an athlete to shine for a short while and then suffer long term consequences. “If I could give you a pill that would make you an Olympic champion -- and

SPORTS & DRUGS

also kill you in a year -- would you take it?” Dr. Gabe Mirkin The prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs in sports has increased in past half a century making it very difficult to control the vice that makes most talents go to waste. The desire to win is, naturally, ever present while, at the same time, new research and technologies have expanded the number of options for cheating your way onto the podium.

Major sports disciplines are still trying to repair their images from the steroid era and this has posed more and more dangers to sportsmen and women.

Some athletes get away with using drugs; others wind up suspended from their sport or even in jail, and still others die prematurely. It’s a risky and complex game within a game that plays itself out on a public stage.

Why Athletes opt for the pill In Kenya, many athletes have always taken drugs to boost performances in the field of play without the knowledge of the consequences that might follow.

The most commonly abused drugs in Kenya are Marijuana and Miraa. Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, including those that enhance short term performances. It is very unfortunate that most of the athletes use the drugs for leisure not knowing the real effects afterwards.

The players use the drugs for recreational purposes making it a habit. A drug like Miraa is always used by many as a relaxing dose and for this matter nobody thinks that it might do harm, wait a minute, David Munyasia, a well known bantamweight boxer was axed from the Athens Olympic Games for having traces of camine in his blood.

When asked what he had taken, he said that he only chewed Miraa and never knew that it had a banned substance.

After the incident, the boxer promised to bounce back a better athlete something that has never happened to date.

If you look critically into the case above

you realize that the need for relaxation was the main reason for chewing the substance. The Kenya Amateur Boxing Association (KABA) and the National Olympic committee (NOCK) were to blame in this case for they never informed the athletes of what to take during before and after a competition.

Not many Kenyans have failed doping charges but those who have done so have dented there own images and that of the country. Until recently not many federations conducted doping tests on players and this painted bad images in the sporting world. Elizabeth Muthoka had just stormed into the national 400 meters women team with a record breaking time and was set to represent the country in the word championships but was dropped for testing positive for the use of nandrolone-a drug that increases growth, appetite stimulation and increased blood activity. This drug has been banned from all sporting disciplines and those found are usually banned for a period of time.

Many more athletes have failed doping tests before and they have faded significantly. Famous athletes like Susan Chepkemei and Simon Kemboi have failed doping tests before making it hard for them to redeem the tainted images. Through this revelation, it is important to have most athletes to have good knowledge of what they are supposed to take when preparing for matches or competition.

In the football scene, not all has been alright and quite a number of the footballers fail to make lucrative moves abroad for failing simple drug tests.

Anyone who knows anything about the daily life of a football player will tell you that training can be moved at the drop of a hat, depending on anything from a good or bad result to the weather.

There are also times when missing training is unavoidable. Through this, some footballers find solace in the use of energy boosting substances that might contain banned substances.

With the uncertainty of who should

have the mandate of running soccer in the country, some footballers took advantage of that and engaged in the use of banned substances making it a bad image for the soccer scene in the country.

Philip Wire Opiyo, one of Kenya’s finest defenders was deported from south Africa in February 2005 after failing a drug test .Opiyo had signed for PSL giants Umtata Bush Bucks Football Club. He was depoted after he refused to take the sabple B test and since then the Bandari man has never been the same player we used to know. These few cases serve to illustrate the point that the use of prohibited substances to enhance performance in sports is real and deserves our undivided attention.

The end results With the increased knowledge on the way drugs affect performances, it is therefore important to have federations to conduct tests to all participants before kick off of any competition. This sounds expensive but it might save millions of shillings and someone’s career.

A player who fails a drug test looses the faith of fans even if he was the best in that discipline. There are some more drugs and pain killers that should be taken only through prescription and having a good physician to guide the athletes to do this will go a long way to making athletes aware of what is to be done at what time.

Doping in sports can only be controlled through proper guidance and provision of basic information on what the athletes should do to avoid bans. As a sportsman, improving your performance through hard work and determination will help a lot in making one achieve the best out of the efforts put forward. The federations and the National Olympics committee should put the best foot forward and follow the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) to protect athletes……to be continued in the next issue

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