The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) says it will support Kenya’s plans to put up an anti-doping laboratory in the country, though a definite timeline is yet to be set out.
IAAF Anti-Doping Manager Thomas Capdeville says discussions have been ongoing for a while and the world athletics governing body is putting into serious consideration having a lab in the country.
“It is something we have been discussing and talked of length. As IAAF we are committed to ensuring this happens and most of the support we will give will involve us sending in specialists who are going to train the locals and if need be, we will even put in financial help,” Capdeville told Capital Sport on Monday afternoon.
He was speaking after a meeting with Athletics Kenya, Anti Doping Association of Kenya (ADAK) and government officials at Riadha house on Monday.
ADAK Chief Executive Officer Japhter Rugut says a local lab would be ideal to help Kenya step up its efforts in fighting doping as well as comprehensively reduce sample freighting costs.
“It would be convenient to have the laboratory locally. There is a challenge of ferrying the samples from the collection point, to Nairobi and transmitting the same to a WADA accredited lab. Logistically and financially it would be great,” Rugut said.