Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore sent a clear message on what they are expecting as sponsors/JOE MIANO

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore sent a clear message on what they are expecting as sponsors but stressed that the integrity question mark needs to disappear before they consider a come-back.

“Since then we have had a number discussions with our fellow sponsors and we are happy with the progress that Richard (Omwela) is making not has made because there is still more work to be done,” he said.

“Corruption is something which I personally take a very strong position on, my company takes a strong position on, and it’s pleasing to see that the President of the Republic is also taking a strong position on, so we cannot compromise those things and I was not happy with what I had seen in the union.”

He acknowledged the progress KRU Chairman Omwela has made since taking over but also expressed more needed to be done in order for the sponsors to show interest in coming on aboard again.

“We are actually pretty confident that you will as the chairman of KRU you will resolve that, and the fact that we are here does show our continued support.”

“The clock is ticking and October is not very far, so if we are to make this thing a success, decisions need to be made within a matter of days,” Safaricom’s top man expressed. “At Safaricom we really believe that sport has the power of positive impact on young people and that’s why we are very big supports.”

Omwela acknowledge the great concern from their major sponsors stating that: “When I took over I first wanted to engage sponsors and get them back on board because we are going nowhere with the union sponsors, who want to see a change of attitude, how the union does business, and accountability.”

He clarified the issue affecting the national 7s team noting: “Contrary to what everybody is saying we have not disbanded the sevens team, you cannot disband a national team. All you can do is have a break which we are having, then reassemble again.”

“I really want you back Bob,” Omwela said, showing the desperation of the union as it is hanging on a thread.

Clearing the national sevens issue and the numerous assumptions he stated that “technically the contracts have now expired and will be looking to be renewing the contracts when the season kicks off.

He also mentioned the officials facing a disciplinary hearing during the next week who are the assistant coach, conditioning coach and the team manager adding that: “All players have been paid up to July 31 and there are no pending issues as of salaries at this point.”

Kenya Airways marketing director Chris Diaz also shared his concerns on the issues affecting the union but also stressed that they are all there to try and come up with a solution.

“I am very sure and we’re very confident that the Kenyan Rugby Union will be able to resolve these issues.”

“We are keen to reiterate our continued support to the new management and all activities that will grow the team. Through its support of the Kenya 7s, Kenya Airways is keen to drive the team to even greater heights as they aspire to gain more traction in international competitions.”

Former Commonwealth and World Junior champion, Alex Kipchirchir and global peace ambassador and past women marathon record holder, Tegla Loroupe in the final leg of the Champions Walk for Peace in Baringo County on August 6, 2015. PHOTO/AFP

BARINGO, August 6- The relative peace and quiet of Lake Bogoria’s surroundings in Baringo County was shattered by a joyous cacophony of song, dance and merriment to crown a fitting ending to the grueling 552 mile (888.358km) Champions Walk for Peace that traversed the volatile North Rift region to preach co-existence across seven strife-torn counties.

The initiative driven by world famous runners managed to realise $90,000 (Sh9, 103,905) so far towards their $250,000 (Sh25,288,625) target in the quest to seek a lasting solution to inter-ethnic violence and cattle rustling that has cost more than 300 lives and lefts scores destitute and homeless.

The climax was also a show of political might with five Governors from the affected region converging at the Spa Resort in Baringo to join renowned athletes led by former world record holders, Wilson Kipsang and Tegla Loroupe as tired limbs gathered to toast their success.

It was the day when guns, arrows and other crude weapons that have caused so much anguish in the North Rift fell silent to mark a memorable day where long-suffering communities hoped will mid-wife the end of the scourge of violence that has spanned generations and resisted all other diplomatic or forceful efforts.

Reformed warriors who struck terror and wrought untold suffering to their victims led the festive merry-making as top runners, political leaders, invited guests-local and overseas, students and locals mingled freely to cover the last 1.5km in a carnival procession that belied the nightmare the region has endured.

“There was no kilometre that was left un-walked. We walked and reached the so called red line zones. In fact, that area is where the community  embraced and extended a warm welcome to us.

“In addition, we had barazas (community gatherings) where we shared with them the theme of the walk and they embraced and supported it. As we speak, they are here with us to ensure this is successful,” John Ekiru Kelai, the 2010 Commonwealth champion who mooted the initiative with British NGO, Aegis Trust, that campaigns to eliminate genocide worldwide asserted as the climax unraveled on Thursday.

Kelai, the first Turkana runner to win a gold medal for Kenya, was inspired to establish the walk themed breaking the cycles of hatred and violence in nomadic communities after suffering personal tragedy at the hands of Pokot cattle raiders.

“I lost my relatives and this pained me so much. I didn’t want to take revenge because it is not a solution. I thought there must be a way out to handle this in a better way.

“This is not a one person initiative. It is a collective effort,” he underpinned as he saluted fellow athletes who sacrificed their time, resources as well as risking incursions into dangerous areas withing the charted route where the urge for violence and stock-theft overrides any idea of giving peace a chance.

-Champions speak-

Ethiopian legend and multiple distance world record holder, Haile Gebrsellasie was penned as the headline act in the final walk to the finish by organisers but his no show did not damped the enthusiasm or dilute the sense of high occasion despite a long delay to the start of proceedings at minutes past high noon.

Former record marathon record holders, Wilson Kipsang and global peace ambassador, Tegla Loroupe, led a cast of past and present world beaters in distance running including men 3000m record holder, Daniel Komen, in sprinkling the star dust to the conclusion.

“The walk for peace is important since as an athlete, it’s not only about running. If there is no peace in the communities we come from or those neighbouring, we are fully or partially affected.

“As a top athlete, I have to fully participate and work together with the community and leaders to make sure we embrace peace especially in these areas with cattle rustling and violence. I have really seen the importance of peace having had the opportunity to travel far and wide,” Olympics bronze medallist and two-time London Marathon winner, Kipsang, who is eying gold for Kenya at the Beijing Worlds underscored.

Loroupe, is no stranger to peace drives through her award-winning, world famous Tegla Loroupe Peace Race that covers pastoralist communities from her native Kapenguria, Samburu, Pokot and Karamanjoong of Uganda, was delighted another athlete had taken up the notion of using sport and local community acclaim to campaign for harmony.

“I feel I’m not the only one going the road alone. I met Kelai when I went to buy cows from Chesire Farm, after mine were stolen and taken to Uganda.

“My cows were stolen so that I could get Kelai who I was told was a good runner. I told Kelai, go and train and the following day I went to speak to his boss and Mr. Chesire who said, ‘yes Tegla, I will help Kelai’.

“I gave him his first shoe and told him by the time this shoe is finished, I want you to go out (to run overseas) and now I see he kept his promise,” Loroupe, the former women world marathon record holder and New York champion offered in a stirring tribute to the Delhi titleholder.

-Sore feet-

Members of local communities take part in an 840-kilometre (522-mile) “Walk for Peace” against ethnic violence, in Baringo, Kenya on August 6, 2015. PHOTO/AFP

Baking weather, hostile receptions and harsh terrain along some parts of the designated route combined with the daunting distance in the event that started from Lodwar to Lake Bogoria from July 15 through to Thursday carrying an Olympic-style torch that passed from walker to walker to provide the energy sapping, back-breaking and dispiriting moments of the campaign.

“It was difficult for us, we encountered a lot of challenges. Walking over 500 miles was not easy. Many guys dropped on the way because some fell sick, they couldn’t walk.

“The weather was so harsh on us, it was so hot and towards Eldoret, it was so rainy. Loruk, somewhere near Tangorbei was the most challenging. It’s hot and that’s where people kill each other, so we managed to pass there but it was so difficult.

“We saw the warriors, called Ngoro and they came out and we walked together as we encouraged them to stop cattle rustling. That walk was so important for me because I was able to bring something back to the community by encouraging youth to go back to school,” Alex Kipchirchir, the 2002 World Junior and 2006 Commonwealth Games champion in 800m narrated after taking part in the entire exercise.

Fittingly, as he told of his experiences, reformed warriors could be heard belting out celebratory tunes in the background bearing the scars of their victims etched on their faces or arms as a macabre reminder of the lives they have taken- each body mark representing a killing.

-Millions raised-

The millions raised are meant to kick-start a peace building programme with the Aegis Trust – modelled on Aegis’ successful peace building work in Rwanda – which will engage with at least 10,000 young people at risk of being drawn into the violence in Kenya’s North Rift Valley.

“If we look back at the 2007/2008 election violence in Kenya, sports is what healed the country since after that we had the Beijing Olympics where we won six gold medals.That brought peace, it brought us together. As sportsmen, we have a big role to play in bringing people together because we are the pacesetters.

“As we were doing this march, I saw we had youth and political leaders, the Governors together. This is just the first step, we want ti see the second of elders declaring there is going to be no more war, we need peace. When the Government wants to get peace, it comes from the Governor to the elders,” Douglas Wakiihuri, the first Kenyan to win the world marathon title underscored.

“When the raids happen the elders act (by) themselves without asking anybody, the challenge is to ask all elders from the seven counties and explain to the youth why people should not fight as culture keepers. When wealth is taken from raids, they are the beneficiaries,” the pioneer Kenyan marathon Commonwealth champion from 1991 added as he pressed for the initiative to be expanded to cover all counties.

Baringo Governor, Benjamin Cheboi, who hosted the finale led four other county chiefs in amplifying the message of peace as the runners, who made it happen, quietly receded, as they often do, to the background as politicians took command of the centre stage.

But the significance of the occasion was not lost on the locals who turned out in their droves to witness a gathering such like they have never seen.

A light body aircraft carrying some of the county bosses was the first to spark rousing interest as it came down for a fast landing to signal the start of proceedings.

Long after the walk, Turkana Governor, Josphat Nanok landed in a chopper to make his grand arrival in an act that stole the show when a sizable number of those present surged to its direction as its rotors whirred to stop.

Assembled local and international journalists mostly biased in sports reportage also had their antennas up thinking the great Gebrsellasie had finally turned up after repeated promises he was on his way from Nairobi.

“They have all closed shop to go to the run (walk),” one of the only two shopkeepers who was open for trade in the tiny, dust-beaten and rickety shopping center close to the Lake Bogoria National Park told this writer when together with his colleagues, ventured out to seek drinking water that was in scant supply as the locals waited for the final walk to start in sweltering heat.

Victor Wanyama (left) in action against Swansea City in an EPL match. He’s eying a long Europa League run with the Saints.

NYON, August 7- English Premier League side Southampton have been drawn against the Danish champions Midtjylland in the play-offs for the Europa League as the draw was made on Friday.

The Saints’ reward for beating Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem 5-0 on aggregate in the third qualifying round is a meeting with a Mdtjylland side who lost on away goals to APOEL of Cyprus in the Champions League third qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund have been paired with Odds of Norway, while Ajax will take on Jablonec of the Czech Republic after being dumped out of the Champions League third qualifying round by Rapid Vienna.

Fenerbahce, who have invested big money this summer luring the likes of Robin van Persie, Nani and Simon Kjaer to Istanbul only to be beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League third qualifying round, will meet Atromitos of Greece.

The winners will join the 10 losers from the Champions League play-offs and 16 other sides who qualify directly — including Villarreal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Schalke 04, Fiorentina, Napoli and Marseille – in the group stage draw.

Draw for the Europa League play-offs, made on Friday:

Milsami Orhei (MDA) v Saint-Etienne (FRA)

Altach (AUT) v Belenenses (POR)

Zilina (SVK) v Athletic Bilbao (ESP)

Steaua Bucharest (ROM) v Rosenborg (NOR)

Zorya Luhansk (UKR) v Legia Warsaw (POL)

Viktoria Pilsen (CZE) v Vojvodina (SRB)

Jablonec (CZE) v Ajax (NED)

Young Boys (SUI) v Qarabag (AZE)

Molde (NOR) v Standard Liège (BEL)

PAOK (GRE) v Brondby (DEN)

Bordeaux (FRA) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ)

Lech Poznan (POL) v Videoton (HUN)

Dinamo Minsk (BLR) v Salzburg (AUT)

Panathinaikos (GRE) v Qäbälä (AZE)

Astra Giurgiu (ROM) v AZ Alkmaar (NED)

Rabotnicki (MKD) v Rubin Kazan (RUS)

Southampton (ENG) v Midtjylland (DEN)

Liberec (CZE) v Hajduk Split (CRO)

Odd (NOR) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Krasnodar (RUS) v HJK Helsinki (FIN)

Atromitos (GRE) v Fenerbahce (TUR)

FC Thun (SUI) v Sparta Prague (CZE)

KCB Machakos Rally winner, Tapio Laukannen pictured here during the Safari Rally in April. PHOTO/File

MACHAKOS, August 8- Flying Finn Tapio Laukkanen completed a commanding start to chequered flag victory for his third Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) win of the season in Machakos on Saturday.

The KCB Machakos Rally came to a spectator-filled conclusion at the People’s Park with Laukkanen and Pasi Toma led their Subaru Impreza GVB13 to the finish ramp ahead of the competition after a day he drove like a man possessed at the Rallye Sports Club-organised event that unfolded around Machakos, Konza and Kapiti Plains.

Tapio, who is tackling the full KNRC season this year, added the Machakos triumph to his successes in the opening round in Kisumu and last round Eldoret.

“There is no secret to winning rallies. I am just enjoying myself with good support from my service crew which was able change the gearbox in less than 20 minutes after I was forced to use only four and five of transmission in one stage.

“Transmission had given up but we survived to win the rally. It is good feeling.”

Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo led the challengers’ home in second at the wheel of an ex-Tajveer Rai Mitsubishi Evolution X on his first outing with the car.

With Tapio proving he is a class above the best Kenya has to offer, Chager and Tundo were left to battle for second with the latter managing to edge out the national champion but only just.

‘Baldy’ lost out to Tundo by a mere nine seconds after spinning off in the last stage with Safari Rally winner Jaspreet Singh Chatthe in a Mitsubishi Evolution X R4 rounding the top four.

With two events to spare, Chatte’s finish just outside the podium was enough to maintain his lead atop the KNRC log with spectators at the Park given a petrol head thrill that left them yearning for more.

Drivers were faced with dusty conditions on a chilly morning before the second loop around the same stages proved more challenging after a consistent drizzle left the roads slippery.

Ian Duncan in an EVO X was well on course for a podium but punctures saw him slide down the finishing order to seventh.

Rajbir Rai and two times Uganda Champion Jas Mangat were among the top casualties of the demanding rally.

Rai who was second in Eldoret retired on CS4 while the Ugandan suffered low turbo pressure on CS2.

Physically challenged driver Nikhil Sachania also retired in the sixth round of the season.

“We just lost it at a blind corner where the surface changed suddenly from dry to very wet. Fortunately, we are fine though our car is damaged underneath on the front.

“We are out of the rally. Evans also hit the same stump and parked next to me. Sad but that’s it,” Nikhil who bowed out CS5 after his Fiat Grande Punto S2000 after he slid off the road and hit a tree stump rued.

The same corner claimed the Subaru Impreza of Evans Kamau where no injuries were report. The next round of the KNRC heads to Nakuru next month.

Provisional final Results

1. Tapio Laukannen (Subaru R4) 1:28.36
2. Carl “Flash” Tundo (EVOX) 1:30.10
3. Baldev Singh Chager (EVOX) 1:30.19
4. Jaspreet Singh Chatthe 1:30.48
5. Karan Patel (EVOX) 1:33.10
6. Manvir Baryan (Ford Fiesta R5) 1:33.32
7. Ian Duncan (EVOX) 1:34.18
8. Onkar Singh Rai (EVOX) 1:34.38
9. Raaji Bharij (EVOX) 1:35.19
10. Quentin Mitchell Skoda Fabia S2000 1:36.37

KCB MACHAKOS RALLY 2015

Overall winner: Tapio Laukkanen (1st overall)

2WD: Eric Bengi (18th overall)

Group N: Carl Tundo (2nd overall)

Classic Class: Tejveer Rai (16th overall)

SPV: Kirit Rajput (21st overall)

S Class: Taiti Wachira (20th overall)

Division 1: Karan Patel (5th overall)

Division 2: Eric Bengi (18th overall)

Division 3: Jansher Sandhu (15th overall)

Runners pass Buckingham Palace as they make their way along The Mall towards the finish line during the 2015 London Marathon on April 26, 2015. PHOTO/AFP

LONDON, August 9- Seven London Marathon winners in 12 years have recorded blood level results which suggested they may have been doping, the Sunday Times newspaper reported in the latest set of allegations to have rocked athletics.

It reported that 32 winners of major city marathons — London, Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin and Tokyo — should have faced investigation over potential blood doping following test results — a quarter of the overall total.

The newspaper did not provide dates for when its statistics allegedly apply or identify the athletes involved.

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said in a statement Sunday that organisers were “very concerned” by the allegations and said the race had a “zero tolerance policy” on doping.

“We believe there are people in our sport who are cheating and everyone has a part to play to protect those who are not,” he said.

“We continue to be at the forefront of anti-doping measures for marathon runners as we are determined to make marathon running a safe haven from doping but we cannot do it all on our own and rely heavily on the IAAF.”

In a separate development Britain’s Mo Farah — who won Olympic gold medals in 2012 for the 5,000m and 10,000m — is one of eight athletes who have agreed to release their own blood test data, the newspaper reported.

His coach Alberto Salazar has faced doping allegations but both he and Farah deny any wrongdoing.

“The decision to release my results is a personal one — I’ve always said that I’m happy to do what it takes to prove that I’m a clean athlete,” he was quoted as saying.

Last week’s publication by the Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD of evidence of hundreds of allegedly suspicious blood tests has drawn a robust response from officials.

The governing body for athletics, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has strongly rejected the claims and said the two experts at the centre of the allegations were “naive” and had used “incomplete data”.

Sebastian Coe, the former British Olympian and candidate to be president of the IAAF, said last week the claims were “a declaration of war”.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said Friday it would “urgently” investigate the allegations.

President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a light moment with elite athlete Ezekiel Kemboi as First Lady Margaret Kenyatta congratulates the African record holder of the Javelin throw Mr. Julius Yego after completion of the qualifiers for The 15th World Championships in Athletics at The Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani. PHOTO/PSPU

NAIROBI, August 10- Steeplechase king, Ezekiel Kemboi, has promised China a memorable show when he bids to win a record-setting fourth title at the Beijing IAAF World Championships whether he wins the gold medal or not.

The world has not known any other holder of the men 3000m crown since the Berlin edition of 2009 when Kemboi uncorked 8:00.43 led countryman, Richard Mateelong (8:00.89) and Frenchman Bouabdellah Tahri (8:01.18) to the podium in the fastest final at the World Championships.

It was here the world got a first taste of his showmanship after he led the silver medallist to jump the barriers draped in the Kenyan flag in a hilarious toast to their 1-2 that made evening news on German television.

“I had a wildcard and wanted to run to make my fans happy at home. I just came to run and that’s why you saw I was telling my boys to make it good and maybe in Beijing, we make the first four,” Kemboi stated after finishing fourth (8:24.42) at the Kenyan Trials on Saturday.

“What I want to do in Beijing, since this is perhaps my last World Championships is to make us take the first four positions. If we run the way we did here as a team, then it is possible,” the three-time silver medallist at the Worlds added.

On the serious threat posed by American breakout steeplechase star, Evan Jager, the veteran champion urged his teammates in the steeple, Diamond League winner, who won the Trial in 8:19.55 ahead of Worlds silver winner, Conseslus Kipruto (8:21.73) and 2007 Worlds and 2008 Olympics gold medallist, Brimin Kipruto (8:22.95) to be cohesive in China.

“He (Jager) he is good and running well but before we leave for Beijing, we will have found tactics to give him his medicine. I will decide my future in the sport after Beijing, perhaps I could think of defending my Olympics title in Rio but first, my aim is to give China my best,” the London 2012 Olympics crown-holder added.

In 2011, Kemboi, 33, returned to Asia when the South Korean resort city of Daegu to defend his crown and after a slow tactical final, he employed a killer burst in the last 300m to beat then Olympic champion, Kipruto (8:14.85 against 8:16.05) before the Beijing 2008 winner could unleash his feared kick over the last 200m.

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (8:16.09) another Frenchman took bronze before Kemboi opted to celebrate with him over his compatriot, the Kenyan who was spotting a haircut of the Nike swoosh famously jumping to the embrace of the bronze winner as Kipruto walked away from the track clearly offended.

Kemboi was to succeed him as Olympics champion in London a year later where he removed his running vest before breaking into a the celebratory jig, dancing to the tune of a local hit song, Pamela Chepchumba that continues to be a You Tube sensation to date.

At the last Worlds in Moscow, 2012 World Junior champion, Conseslus, stormed the scene to threaten his rule and in an act that thrilled and angered in equal measure, Kemboi turned against the youngster metres to the finish to wag his finger at him menacingly as he yelled in native Kenyan national language Swahili, “Wait for your time!”

The two have since patched up their fallout from Russia where the master collected his steeplechase hat-trick in 8:06.01 as Kipruto followed in 8:06.37 with Mekhissi again taking the bronze (8:07.86) where Kemboi further inflamed the situation by going for the lap of honour with the Frenchman.

“At every World Championships, I always have something special for the fans and Beijing will be no different, wait and see, thank you,” he said on what he has in store to thrill the Birds’ Nest where his attempt to defend his Olympics title from Athens 2004 collapsed in a seventh finish.

Wilson Kipsang, marathon star and chairman of Proffesional Athletes Association of Kenya, addresses media in a past press call. PHOTO/File

NAIROBI,  August 10 – Former world marathon record holders, Wilson Kipsang and Tegla Loroupe are among top athletes who called for drug cheats to be named as the doping scandal sparked by German TV, ARD and Sunday Times spilled to the second week.

The British publication claimed on Sunday seven out of 12 London Marathon winners in an unspecified period had Abnormal Blood Profiles (ABP) that suggested doping although the did not disclose the runners.

A week earlier together with ARD, they exposed lurid allegations that accused Kenyan runners of systematic use of performance enhancing substances following leaked material from world body IAAF that had 12,000 athletes with suspicious blood patterns.

In response, the athletes warned complicity and lack of meaningful action by authorities would lead to the collapse of a sport that has brought international acclaim and huge economic gain.

“Athletes in this country have decided to work together to make sure we control the issue of doping since it is really taking a different direction. The recent released report from the German guy is somehow shocking and not going very well.

“When it is released just before the World Championships and an issue is generalised that Kenyan and Russian athletes are doping, I don’t think it’s good. We should respect the bodies given the mandate to take control of such issues,” Olympics marathon bronze winner and two-time London and New York titleholder, Kipsang told.

“There are rules and regulations set pertaining doping issues and when they conduct a test and the results come out clean, we should try to trust.

“Almost 96 percent of athletes are clean and if we generalise, we are spoiling the whole sport when somebody says Kenyan athletes. Who in particular?” the chairman of the Professional Athletes Association of Kenya who will run the ultimate distance race for his nation at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing stressed in calling for cheats to be named and banished from the sport.

He slammed the Kenyan Government and national federation, Athletics Kenya (AK) for failing to ensure stricter management of the sport that had provided the loopholes for “the few cheats” and foreigners to escape with impunity.

“We should try to make sure we control the whole issue and create awareness for many athletes. Some of these guys coming from outside come to Kenya and take advantage of the ignorance of some of the athletes and ask for information and they know nothing.

“That kind of information comes later on to damage our sport,” Kipsang who ran the 2:03:26 marathon world record at the 2013 Berlin race before it was broken a year later underscored.

– Cattle rustlers-

Tegla Loroupe (in blue) walks alongside 2010 Commonwealth Champion, John Ekiru Kelai during the finale of the Champions Walk for Peace in Baringo. PHOTO/AFP

Loroupe who is an award winning global ambassador for peace was more scathing, comparing dope cheats to cattle rustlers that have brought huge loss of life and destitution among the warring communities of the volatile North Rift region of Kenya.

“There is no difference between the cattle raiders from Pokot and Turkana communities and the athlete who dopes. Already, you have stolen from someone else’s money through cheating meaning you are a thief who will leave no legacy in the sport.

“Athletes should question whatever they are given for example supplements but for senior athletes to be caught is such a shame. If I was doping, I would not be a Laureus ambassador for peace,” the former three-time World Half Marathon champion added.

“It’s shameful for Kenyan athletes to be involved in drugs. During my time, there were no positive cases and we would compete even with some Europeans who were found to have cheated and succeed because we wanted to run clean.

“Let us not point the federation alone; the Government should come in especially the Ministry of Foreign affairs and that of Sport because we need to know who these people bringing drugs are. We don’t manufacture these things.

“When they get you in Italy, you go to prison. If they get you in China, you go in and therefore, our Government should be tough. We have to take tough action,” the two-time Rotterdam Marathon winner urged.

Douglas Wakiihuri, the first Kenyan male to win the World and Commonwealth marathon titles echoed Kipsang’s remarks generalising Kenyan runners was undeserved as he called on those behind the documentary to stop shielding those involved.

“If they have the proof and the names of those who have been doing so, why aren’t they not giving them out? The person who did the interview (Hajo Seppelt) and he knows who is doping should bring those people forward” the 1987 World and 1991 Commonwealth Games winner asserted.

He called on tighter control of those permitted to deal with Kenyan runners from abroad and the sport in general.

“I bet if you go to Europe and say you want to become an agent, you’ll definitely go through a lot of scrutiny and tests before you qualify. What we need to do is have good control of our athletes and get good structures.

“We are very free, everyone comes to our Trials, pick our athlete and boom! There you go! The next thing we hear is an athlete has doped. We need the Government to ensure we have a proper register of where our athletes are training and going,” Wakiihuri advised.

The explosive ARD report claimed more than 800 athletes, including 18 Kenyans, had “suspicious blood test results” between 2001 and 2012.

Dismas Indiza at a past KCB Pro Tour event. PHOTO/Courtesy

NAIROBI, August 10- Mumias pro, Dismas Indiza, has his work cut out to reign supreme when the fourth KCB Pro-Am Tour unfolds this week in the pristine Nakuru Golf Club.

Indiza who is leading the KCB Order of Merit having won all previous rounds faces home pro, Richard Ainley, Vet Lab’s Brian Njoroge and former tour winner, Nicholas Rokoine who is returning after missing two events for the honours.

Three top amateur golfers William Odera, Alfred Nandwa of Njoro Club and Nakuru’s Luther Kamau will mix with the pros that are chasing the 1 million shillings winners’ prize.

“We just came from Kampala Open which was a championship competition. We were playing alongside the Sunshine Tour players.

“We managed to engage with players from South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Nigeria among other African Countries, this championship has sharpened our skills and we expect to see some good golf in Nakuru” Professional Golfers of Kenya Captain, John Wangai, said.

International golfer, Greg Snow however, is missing in action as he is nursing a back injury picked in Kampala.

The pros competition will take four days with a clinic on Friday afternoon allowing fans and amateurs an opportunity to learn some skills from the paid players.

Caroline Kilel when she famously cut the tape to win the 2011 Boston Marathon. PHOTO/Boston Marathon

NAIROBI, August 10- Former Boston Marathon champion, Caroline Kilel will return to defend the women’s crown as Ezra Sang, who was second in the men’s race in the last edition, seeking top honours at this weekend’s seventh running of the Masai Mara Marathon.

The pair will be among the main attractions in an event where organisers are expecting some 5000 runners in Lemek Conservancy.

Speaking during the launch on Monday, Athletics Kenya (AK) South Rift chairman, John Wachira said the race will press on despite the withdrawal of title sponsor, Kenya Airways, who pulled out due to financial constraints.

“The central and county government are in full cooperation to ensure security will be tight,” he added.

Renowned athletes from the region including Olympics champion and world 800m record holder, David Rudisha, former World Cross champion, Alice Timbilil and national 400m titleholder and Beijing Worlds-bound Alphas Kishoyan have been invited as inspirational guests.

Winner’s prize money has been whittled down from Sh500,000 each for the men and women to Sh200,000 due to the tight finances with the event yet to secure a title sponsor.

The Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, Kenyatta International Convention Center, Kenya Tourism Board, Capital FM Kenya, Nation Media Group, Nakumatt Holdings, TARPO and the Main Event company have stepped in to facilitate Saturday’s showdown in the wild that will consider with the eighth wonder of the world, the Mara Wildebeest Migration.

Kenya Airways sponsored top five finishers in the sixth edition held in 2013 to at last year’s London Marathon, an incentive that saw Kilel, the 2011 Boston and 2013 Frankfurt champion brave huge odds to breast the tape ahead of all in the women’s race.

Kilel topped the 21km main race in 1:11:15, to stop a surging Faith Jeruto (1:11:56), Lucy Liyavoga (1:12:20), Chepng’eno Langat (1:13:04) and Naomi Chepng’eno (1:13:26) who rounded off the top five to earn their tickets to London.

In the corresponding men’s race, Leonard Kipkoech took the honours in 1:03:0 ahead of Ezra Sang (1:03:53), Nicholas Kipkemboi (1:04:0), Bernard Kitur (1:04:20) and Henry Sang (1:04.21) to clinch the London berths.

The national carrier had poured Sh58 million (approx USD580,000) into the event.

Lemek Conservancy covers about 17,000 acres in the Mara with proceeds from the marathon going into education, conservation, and resource supplies towards the community

Capital FM team of Alex Isaboke, Cedric Gitura and Nicholas Ambasi tackle one of the obstacles at the Mt. Kenya Extreme Sports Challenge. PHOTO/Courtesy

MERU, August 10 – Capital FM finished sixth out of 25 teams in the newly introduced scramble category during the fourth Mount Kenya Extreme Sports Challenge over the weekend.

Participating in the event for the first time, the Best Mix of Music team of three led by Sports reporter, Alex Isaboke, Digital Media’s Cedric Gitura and Nicholas Ambasi from Administration, conquered the intimidating 13km course that featured 25 insane obstacles at the Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership in Meru County.

“It’s a nice experience because it helps us embrace team work. This teaches us that in life one cannot do alone so we hope to carry on the same experience to our work place.

“The tough challenge was when we passed under the tunnel that was full of water but we encouraged each other and managed to get to the finish line. Definitely we will be back here next year,” Gitura stated after the event won by Administration Police.

The unique category that involved teams of three was designed to be the experience of a lifetime inside the Mt. Kenya forest, where participants competed through, mud slides, water body, climbs and races.

With the event requiring the three to be active in all laps and complete the stages together, many teams dropped out as only 15 reached the finish.

“At Extreme adventure scramble race, teams spend more time on our extreme mud plus other exhilarating obstacles and less time jogging.

“Our goal is to produce something bigger than the race itself. Participating means you are putting the rest of your life on hold while pushing your limits to dominate our chilly and mud obstacle course.

“Obstacles in the course are designed to challenge teams physically. Spartan Race is designed to pull you from your comfort zone and challenge you. We are planning to make it even more challenging next year,” Event Coordinator, Ernest Maina underscored.

In the first activity, each team was required to carry one of their own for two kilometres, before hiking the natural scenic Rosewood forest located at the foothill of Africa’s second largest mountain.

The most challenging sections were at the latter stages where participants went through a set of muddy trenches dug deep, before clinging on ropes as they navigated through mud.

Organizers of the event that also included Jungles race and corporate team challenge are targeting a maximum of 40 teams as they look to make the annual event an international competition.

Unlike in the previous years, new challenges were introduced to make the event more exiting with the famous rock climbing omitted but event director, John Mwangi said it still remain part of the challenge.

Over 25 teams took part where winners in both events pocketed a prize of Sh100, 000; second place took Sh60, 000 whilst third finishers walked away with Sh45, 000.

AFC Leopards head coach, Zradvko Logarusic looks dejected during their final KPL first-leg clash of the season against Sofapaka after issues with raising a squad. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, August 11- AFC Leopards have been the Den of mystery this season with the fate of Croat head coach, Zradvko Logarusic, the latest pillar of confusion in the cash-strapped SportPesa Premier League giants.

The flamboyant ‘Loga’ or ‘Luhyarusic’ as he was baptised when he landed with fanfare to take charge has not led the team since their loss to Sony Sugar on May 27 in Awendo when he refused to travel with the team.

Assistants Yusuf Chippo and former Sofapaka FC boss, Ezekiel Akwana, have led the club since drawing 1-1 with Bandari before their humiliating 2-1 defeat to bottom side All Stars in Nakuru last weekend.

Speaking to Capital Sport on Tuesday, interim chairman, Walter Onyino denied reports Logarusic had been locked out of the Den saying he was free to return to the helm of the club.

“I don’t know where the reports came from. We sat as the NEC and gave him time to make up his mind. We offered him part of what we owe him as we look for money to clear not only his but also the balance of the players as well.

“He understands the bad situation we are in at the moment and we have not issued any statement I’m aware of he has left the team. As far as I’m concerned, he is still our head coach.

“We are looking for a permanent solution to the payment issue for all, including the coach soon but I can’t give a time frame when we shall do so,” Onyino, who took over until after the end of the season when elections for a new National Executive Committee (NEC) are said to take place, explained.

On Wednesday, fifth-placed Leopards face another daunting test when they face 2010 champions, Ulinzi Stars who are preparing to depart for the East Africa Military Games that start in Uganda on Saturday with the Logarusic riddle still clouded in uncertainty.

Reputable SuperSport.com reported Tuesday “The return to the Den of coach Zradvko Logarusic looks unlikely after AFC Leopards’ NEC members failed to agree on the fate of the tactician whom some accuse of deserting the club in its time of need.”

According to the piece, Logarusic was given part payment, a fact alluded by Onyino but that was not enough to convince him to return to the helm of the bench.

“When he was paid the Ksh 200,000 some officials demanded to know why it was only him being paid and not the other coaches and brought bad blood in the technical bench that is why it will be hard to have Logarusic back in the team as the majority of the NEC members are against it and have given coach Chipo and Akwana the mandate to coach the team,” a source told SuperSport.com.

Speaking to Capital Sport, another insider claimed the club recent insipid performances were due to a divided NEC and sabotage among the playing unit triggered by forces within and outside the club as the cold war to take over management of the famous club gathers steam ahead of the elections.

“Things are bad in the club. They way they played in Nakuru, no spirit or effort at all. Some people have got to the minds of the players and problems are coming from all sides.

“It’s difficult for us to raise funds since we are almost finishing the season and most sponsors want to be there at the beginning. Some in the NEC are discouraging injection of personal finances to the team,” our source elaborated.

Despite being held at ransom by the Croat coach who is a fan favourite, Leopards are sceptical of openly declaring they have sacked him for what amounts to desertion due to the risk of being forced to pay hefty sums to honour the duration of the contract.

“We met him and fully understand his complains but until the situation improves, he has to bear with it like all of us,” Onyino added.

After the haphazard sacking of Dutch head coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh at the end of last season, Ingwe were slapped with a huge bill that has seen their share of broadcast deal monies from SuperSport go towards offsetting the amount as failure to honour their part of the contract with the KNVB trained tactician.

The new doping allegations say that leaked results from 12,000 blood tests on 5,000 competitors by the IAAF shows the wide extent of cheating in athletics. PHOTO/AFP

PARIS, August 11- The IAAF has provisionally suspended 28 athletes for suspected doping offences at the 2005 and 2007 world championships in Helsinki and Osaka, world athletics’ governing body announced on Tuesday.

Most of the athletes concerned have since retired, and none are competing at this month’s world championships in Beijing, the IAAF stated.

A total of 32 rogue results from the two championships were uncovered after reexamination of urine samples stored at a World Anti-Doping Agency accredited-laboratory (LAD) in Lausanne.

“The latest scientific breakthroughs in anti-doping technology and analysis have been employed in the reanalysis of these samples to allow us to find previously undetectable substances,” explained LAD director Martial Saugy.

The IAAF said re-testing of the 2005 and 2007 samples had nothing to do with the recent accusations of mass doping in athletics.

“The re-analysis of these samples has been ongoing for some time, and was commenced well before the most recent allegations made against the IAAF by (German broadcaster) the ARD and The Sunday Times,” the IAAF stated.

The athletes suspected of being caught out by advances in doping technology cannot be named for legal reasons.

“A large majority of the 28 are retired, some are athletes who have already been sanctioned, and only very few remain active in sport,” the IAAF revealed.

“The IAAF is provisionally suspending them and can confirm that none of the athletes concerned will be competing in Beijing.”

Athletics’ rulers said the long-term storage and re-analysis of samples remained “one of the best tools available” to detect cheats using previously undetectable substances.

“The IAAF does not shy away from the fact that some athletes continue to cheat and defraud their fellow competitors.

“But we will do everything in our power, and use every tool available to protect those clean athletes who form the large majority of our sport.”

A first round of reanalysis of samples taken from Helsinki conducted in 2012 had uncovered six adverse findings.

The IAAF said that nine athletes have already been sanctioned following retesting of samples from various world championships.

The body has vehemently denied any negligence in its testing procedure in the wake of the claims by ARD and The Sunday Times of hundreds of allegedly suspicious blood tests based on the leak of an IAAF database.

WADA last week announced an “urgent” investigation into the claims which IAAF presidential candidate Sebastian Coe called “a declaration of war” on athletics.

The 2015 world championships begin on August 22 where Justin Gatlin, who exploded on to the track scene winning the 100m and 200m at Helsinki, clashes with Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt.

Ulinzi Stars celebrate scoring a second goal during their SPL match against Mathare United. They depart for Kampala on Friday for EA Military Games. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, August 11- Kenya will seek to defend the East Africa Military Games football title for the third straight year when competition starts on Monday at the iconic Nelson Mandela (Namboole) Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) has always been represented by SportPesa Premier League side Ulinzi Stars who have already unveiled their travelling 21-man squad that travels to Kampala by bus on Friday morning.

The overall team (Team Kenya) was handed the flag at the Department of Defense Headquarters with the sole command to ensure all titles come back home.

Last year in Zanzibar, Kenya won the overall title after taking the honours in football, handball and athletics.

Ulinzi won the football title without losing a single match, winning three and drawing one.

This year, they expect stiffer competition with Uganda, the team which held them to a one-all draw last year at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar playing at home.

“Uganda will definitely be our toughest opponents because they always have a good team and this time that they are playing at home, they will want to win the title.

“It is going to be a tough tournament for us, no doubt about it, but we feel we are in good shape and we can do it.” James Saruni, the team captain told Capital Sport.

Saruni has taken over the captain’s armband from Stephen Ochollah who will be out of the team for the next four months alongside defender Oliver Rutto. The two are embarking on a career progression course.

Only two will be missing from the squad that won the title in Zanzibar where Churchill Muloma and Rodgers ‘Bastos’ Omondi being named for their debut Military Games .

Erick Apul who was left out last year has found a place this time round with Ochollah missing alongside veteran right-back Mulinge Ndetto.

“I think we have a very good team and we will do well in Uganda. Definitely all teams will be looking at us because we are the defending champions. But we will prove our worth and come back home with the title,” Ulinzi Stars Chairman Col JS Mwinyikai said.

Team’s vice-chair, Eric Oloo, who will lead the team to Kampala has been promoted from a Major to a Lieutenant General after the changes announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Ulinzi begin their title defense against Rwanda on Monday, a day after the official opening of the tournament.

Usually, the first match pits the hosts against the defending champions but Uganda have saved the best for last with the cracker between these two countries set for the last day of the tournament.

Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania are the other teams who will take part in the ten-day tournament.

Travelling team

Goalkeepers; James Saruni, Finius Odhiambo, Francis Ochieng

Defenders; Omar Mbongi, Geoffrey Kokoyo, Rodgers Omondi, Brian Birgen, Ben Sande, Mohammed Hassan, Antony Muriithi,

Midfielders; Erick Apul, Kevin Amwayi, Churchill Muloma, Salim Mohammed, Justine Onwong’a, Boniface Onyango, Collins Ochieng

Strikers; Job Muhati, John Mark Makwatta, Job Muhati, Evans Amwoka

Lillestrome keeper, Arnold Origi has been included in Harambee Stars foreign based list. PHOTO/File

NAIROBI, August 12- Norway-based first choice keeper, Arnold Origi is among the 17 foreign based players called-up by Harambee Stars head coach, Bobby Williamson, for the second 2017 AFCON qualifier against 2012 winners Zambia in Nairobi.

Origi missed the 1-1 opening draw away to Congo Brazzaville after his invitation letter to Lillestrom from Football Kenya Federation (FKF) arrived late and joins a list that includes record scorer, Dennis Oliech and defensive midfielder, MacDonald Mariga whose recalls to the side were earlier confirmed by the Scot.

In the run up to their departure for Congo, it emerged Stars would not have their first choice keeper, Origi in goal with reports initially claiming he had ditched Kenya for Norway where he plies with his trade with Lillestrome.

The custodian came out to fray FKF for denying him a chance to feature in the game after sending the release letter to his Norwegian club late.

“But this is not the reason for my absence for this important game. The reason is that the letter to ask for my release from my club was sent very late and therefore, my club just simply said no.

“I tried pleading because that was the only thing in my power to do but there was no chance and I don’t think there was ever going to be a chance of them releasing me for the game,” the keeper said in a lengthy statement at the time.

“Well done boys. Deserved point away from home. You did what was required, to get something from the game. You should be proud,” Origi wrote on his official Twitter account after the team held Congo to catapult Kenya to top of Group E after Zambia and Guinea Bissau played to a barren stalemate in Lusaka.

Other members of the squad, according to FKF chief executive, Michael Esakwa, will be released later ahead of the September 6 clash against the Chipolopolo in Nairobi.

“The coach has given the preliminary list of foreign-based players within the 15 day window so that we can communicate to their clubs for their release,” Esakwa is quoted in FKF’s website.

“The entire list will be released in due course but we just had to ensure that no player in the coach’s plans is unavailable due to late notification to their club.”

Captain and EPL side midfield lynchpin, Victor Wanyama, a younger sibling to Mariga will lead the foreign cast with US-based defender, Lawrence Olum also earning a recall.

Cecafa Kagame Cup champions, Azam FC striker, Allan Wanga, who is currently mourning the demise of his mother and South Africa PSL side Amazulu’s Paul Werem who has not seen action after his mooted loan move to local champions Gor Mahia collapsed are also in the line-up alongside defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng’.

Others are Zambia-based David ‘Calabar’ Owino, Jacob Keli, Ayub Timbe and Anthony Akumu as well as South Africa-based defender Brian Mandela. Clifton Miheso and Johanna Omollo are also included.

“We are aware that some of the players may have picked injuries but we are hopeful that they can be ready for the match by the time September 6 approaches but the final word and choice rests with the coach.

“He (Williamson) will release the list of locally-based players by next week so that the squad is complete to report to camp on (August) 31^st,” the federation CEO added.

LIST

Arnold Origi – Lillestrom (Norway)

Brian Mandela – Maritzburg United (South Africa)

David Owino – Zesco United (Zambia)

David Ochieng – Al Tawoon (Saudi Arabia)

Lawrence Olum – Malaysia

Macdonald Mariga – FC Parma (Italy)

Paul Were – Amazulu (South Africa)

Ayub Timbe – SK Lierse (Belgium)

Clifton Miheso – VPS FC (Finland)

Anthony Akumu – Al Khartoum (Sudan)

Victor Wanyama – Southampton FC (England)

Johanna Omollo – Royal Antwerp FC (Belgium)

Dennis Oliech – Al Nasser (Saudi Arabia)

Jacob Kelli – Nkana Red Devils (Zambia)

Allan Wanga – Azam FC (Tanzania)

Enock Agwanda shields the ball from an Ushuru FC opponent in their SPL clash at City Stadium on Wednesday, August 12. He scored a second half penalty in the 2-0 win. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, August 12- Gor Mahia’s relentless march to the SportPesa Premier League title navigated through the tricky test of Ushuru FC on Wednesday as the champions wrapped-up a 2-0 victory at their Nairobi’s City Stadium cauldron.

K’Ogalo stretched their lead at the summit to 11 on 52 points pending the outcome of the tasty clash between closest challengers, Ulinzi Stars and arch rivals AFC Leopards.

A seventh minute goal from winger Innocent Wafula who is growing in stature as the season progresses and a penalty from substitute Enock Agwanda in the 70th dispensed the taxmen who dominated spells of the hard-fought exchanges as Gor completed the league double over Ken Kenyatta’s revenue collectors.

K’Ogalo took to the pitch to resume their unyielding assault on a third straight top flight crown on the back of an embarrassing pay-dispute with club management that saw players boycott training on Tuesday.

It took them only seven minutes after the start to dispel any doubts of vulnerability after the strike dominated local dailies on Wednesday morning when they punished a defensive slip from the otherwise well drilled taxmen through Mutiso.

The winger applied the finish when lethal forward Michael Olunga’s cross was missed by defender David Otieno giving Mutiso the task of steering the ball in.

Olunga was then denied a golden chance to net his own five minutes later when he broke to the box menacingly only to be stopped by superb defending.

Ushuru recovered and started to turn on the screw and forced Gor keeper Boniface Oluoch into a fabulous save in the 20th from a low corner before he was called into action six minutes later when Abouba Sibomana gave away a free-kick.

Olouch spilled the delivery but Karim Nizigiyimana hacked away the danger.

Ushuru keeper, Odhiambo saved well from Olunga after Wafula attempted to return the favour with an assist from a cross in the 41st as the sides headed to the breather with K’Ogalo 1-0 to the good.

The start of the second saw Moses Arita and Olunga trade shots with the first effort two minutes in lacking the power to beat Oluoch as Gor powered to the other end to see their leading marksman’s effort turned behind for a fruitless corner.

-Wafula Cross-

Innocent Wafula celebrates the opening goal against Ushuru FC at Nairobi’s City Stadium on Wednesday, August 12. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

Strike partner, Meddi Kagere then tapped another Wafula cross wide in the 54th before Ushuru brought on veteran Charles Okwemba to shore up their midfield as Gor boss, Frank Nutall withdrew Ugandan Godfrey Walusimbi and midfielder Collins Okoth for Agwanda and Ernest Wendo.

In the 69th Gor were awarded a penalty after Samuel Odhiambo fouled the replacement forward and Agwanda picked himself up to convert the spot-kick for the final score, with a dangerous Okwemba cross that was deflected for a corner in the 85th the only meaningful response from the taxmen.

Ushuru who have played two games more than the champions remained 10th on 28.

Following the victory, singing K’Ogalo supporters, Green Army, turned Nairobi’s Central Business District into a rancorous celebration overturning bins and lighting up flames as they headed to the Tom Mboya statue to pay tribute in jubilation.

Vehicles torched during the orgy of violence that broke out in Nairobi’s CBD following Gor Mahia’s 2-0 win over Ushuru FC. PHOTOS/Facebook

NAIROBI, August 13- Gor Mahia have apologised for hooliganism acts blamed on their supporters that left three injured and two vehicles torched as mayhem took over Nairobi’s Central Business District on Wednesday night.

At the same time, police will use CCTV footage to identify and arrest those involved.

Nairobi County Police Commander, Benson Kibue, told Capital Sport on Thursday morning they were studying the footage with an aim to bring those behind the mayhem to book.

Jubilant Green Army fans poured into the centre of the capital from City Stadium in song and dance after their team beat Ushuru FC 2-0 in a SportPesa Premier League tie to inch closer to a successful title fence.

However, chaos broke as an altercation between the supporters, hawkers and Nairobi City Council officers turned Nairobi’s Tom Mboya Street into a melting pot of violence that left let to carnage as the dark side of hooliganism associated with the back-to-back domestic champions reared its ugly head.

“Gor Mahia strongly condemns the unfortunate and unacceptable acts of hooliganism witnessed this evening. Gor Mahia FC fully supports the rule of law and in no way condones such behaviour.

“These acts of Vandalism and lawlessness are a far cry from what Gor Mahia FC stands for. Those that engaged in these heinous acts of hooliganism must face the full arm of the law.

“These despicable acts of a minority should never prevail over the values of the majority. We are #GMFCagainstHooliganism,” the club who are eight clear at the top of the SPL table on 52 points with two games in hand over their rivals posted on their verified Twitter account.

“All of us with Gor Mahia FC continue to extend our heartfelt concerns to our three fans, who were knocked down after Wednesday night’s game. The well-being of all of them and their loved ones are forefront in our hearts and minds,” K’Ogalo added.

The champions also assured Nairobi Governor, Evans Kidero, they had nothing against his enforcement officers following the violence that saw a county van torched as well as another vehicle said to belong to police although it had civilian registration.

Fans streamed from the stadium and went all the way up to the City Market areas before turning to Kimathi Street and eventually to Tom Mboya with the statue of the fallen former Cabinet Minister revered by the Green Army the final destination.

Along the way, litter bins were overturned vehicles forced to stop in the traffic jam as confrontations broke out before the fighting broke out when they came across hawkers fleeing Council Askaris and this is where one of them is alleged to have been ran over by their van sparking riots.

However, as the club tried to distance itself from the acts that saw the team roundly condemned on social media among Nairobians caught in the crossfire during rush hour, some continued to soil the team’s image by promising ‘revenge’ against the County officers in their next match.

“Wish them quick recovery…. But on Sunday the revenge mission continues so let the council askaris prepare for the battle of their lives. U cannot rattle a snake and expect not to be bitten by it… Yawaa,” Richard Juma posted in reply to Gor’s post wishing their supporters quick recovery.

Others disagreed with the violent twist in the same forum, “So what realy (really) made them to burn those two vehicles instead of taking action for drivers of those two vehicles. That was so bad of Kogalo fans,” Bilclinton Olouch wrote.

-Story developing

Tusker FC’s Osborne Monday (left) in action in a SPL match against Chemelil. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, August 12- Former Kenya international and Tusker midfielder Osborne Monday was released from Anti-Terror Police Unit custody after being reported missing from the early hours of Wednesday.

Monday who last played for Stars under Belgian head coach, Adel Amrouche when Kenya were dumped of the 2015 AFCON by Lesotho was reportedly picked up from his home in two Toyota Probox cars and held for questioning on terror related activities.

According to sources within the unit, Monday was taken in after his phone number was traced to a number of calls to Somalia, the headquarters of Al Qaeda affiliated terror group Al Shabaab that has carried out a number of deadly attacks inside the Kenyan border.

Efforts from his SportPesa Premier League side Tusker, Football Kenya Federation president, Sam Nyamweya and Kenya Footballers Welfare Association chairman, Innocent Mutiso and his officials secured his freedom on bail pending further investigations.

Unverified reports reaching Capital Sport narrated during the raid at his Nairobi’s Umoja estate residence between 2 and 3am, mobile phones belonging to him and his mother were taken away by persons claiming to be police officers who numbered ten according to family claims.

His distraught parents waited for more than 24 hours to report he was missing and filed a kidnapping report at Nairobi’s Buruburu Police station on Thursday.

As news filtered through the player was missing, social media went into overdrive appealing for his whereabouts as fears spread he was abducted as #WhereIsMonday and #FindOsborneMonday hash tags started doing rounds in .

Monday is recovering from surgery and was expected to miss the rest of the SportPesa Premier League campaign for the third placed Brewers.

“I rushed to the ATPU when I learned he was there to try paying cash bail to have him freed,” Nyamweya said.

With the country stepping up efforts to curb radicalisation among the youth to stop them joining Al Shaabab, Monday’s arrest was shrouded in further claims he had or was in the process of converting from Christianity to join the Islamic faith, with the player cutting his famous locks for a clean shaven hair cut and was spotting a growing beard.

He joined Tusker from Sofapaka in December 2013 after completing a loan spell at Mathare United following his return to the SPL Cecafa Kagame Cup champions, Azam FC of Tanzania.

World athletics’ governing body the IAAF said it “strongly rejected” allegations of thousands of suspicious blood tests from athletes, and insisted it was taking every possible measure to combat doping. PHOTO/AFP

MONACO, August 14- Athletics governing body, IAAF has slammed comparisons between them and their cycling counterparts, UCI over combating doping in the face of serious allegations sparked by German TV, ARD’s explosive documentary.

“At the risk of sounding repetitive by reiterating what we have said before, the IAAF spent USD $2,300,000 in 2014 on our anti-doping programme on testing alone.

“When the cost of administrative support (10 full-time members of staff) and litigation is also added, it brings the overall expenditure up to more than USD $3,000,000,” IAAF said in a statement on Friday.

“This is, without doubt, the highest proportion of an annual budget of any equivalent sporting federation or organisation,” it added.

“The International Federation responsible for world cycling – the UCI – ­spent approximately CHF 1,100,000 (approximately USD $1,130,000 at current exchange rates) on anti-doping in 2013 via what is known as the ‘Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation’.

“It is our understanding that this contribution has even been reduced since then,” IAAF charged.

“The vast majority of cycling’s anti-doping budget comes not from the UCI itself but comes from contributions by the pro-tour cycling teams, the event organisers and the riders themselves.

“We know that 80% of the money in testing in cycling goes to male members from the UCI pro-tour team. The teams do not spend to test female riders or cross-country or track cycling or other cycling disciplines. It is the reality of the UCI system that their budget of around CHF 1,000,000 is used to cover all the disciplines of cycling,” the world body explained

“But a deeper analysis indicates that when it comes to testing for ‘Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents’ (i.e. EPO), and the use of the athlete biological passport (ABP) – two areas of concern highlighted in the past week – cycling very much leads the way.

Last year, 5,757 samples were analysed for EPO in athletics, as opposed to 7,845 in cycling,” British paper Daily Telegraph who published the doping claims alongside ARD wrote in a report comparing the two world body in terms of ‘cleanliness’ in their sport.

“The gap was even more pronounced when breaking down the figures to compare those conducted by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and those by the IAAF. The UCI analysed 9,483 urine and blood samples in 2014, two and a half times more than the IAAF (3,841). It also analysed twice as many samples for EPO: 3,252 compared with 1,563.

It is a similar story with the ABP, with 3,317 samples analysed from athletics last year, as opposed to 8,053 from cycling. Interestingly, the UCI carried out 5,828 such analyses in its own sport (72 per cent of the total), while the IAAF was responsible for just 922 (28 per cent) in athletics,” Telegraph added.

“At the IAAF, the federation’s own money is spent to cover every aspect of the sport – from track and field to cross country, road running, walking and mountain running – men and women.

“If the intention is to imply that ‘cycling’ does more and spends more than ‘athletic’ worldwide (rather than referring to the facts about what the respective federations are doing, and which the IAAF hope we have just done) then we propose that media refer to the WADA annual sport by sport comparison.

“This comparison shows that the sport of Athletics did over 25,000 tests worldwide in 2014 while cycling did 23,000 tests, so logic suggests that athletics spends more than cycling worldwide in the field of testing,” IAAF charged.

“We regret the attempt by a selected group of media to set Athletics against Cycling, since the IAAF has the greatest respect for the work being done by the UCI in the field of anti-doping. There is strong collaboration between the two organisations in areas of experience sharing, trend-mapping and general anti-doping intelligence.

“We also strongly believe that these two international federations are leaders in the field and should be held up as an example to others in the fight for Clean Sport.”

Joint leader David Wakhu tees off on Day 2 of KCB Pro-Am in Nakuru. PHOTO/Courtesy

NAKURU, August 14- The battle for top honours in the KCB Pro-Am golf tour is going down to the wire with three top contenders dead level at 6 under 213.

The long hitting Mumias Pro Dismas Indiza got back to the top after slumping on the second day carding a strong 3 under 70 to register the best score of the day.

Overnight leader David Wakhu shot a discomforting 3 over Par 76 to cling on the top position.

Indiza shot 2 birdies, 4 pars, and three bogeys for a total of 37 in the front nine. He followed this score with 5 birdies, 3 pars and one bogey to close the day with a strong 33 points in the back nine.

The thorn in the flesh of the Pro top dogs is the unwavering Windsor Golf Club resident Pro David Opati who is now at the frontline with a good view of the top owners. He shot an Okay one over par 74 to position himself for the win.

“I have been slow today due to the four ball that I was playing with it made the game slow and I could not concentrate, I dropped some shots in the first nine but tried to pull that back in the back nine but I hope to make up in the finals,” Wakhu said.

The big surprise might come from the underdog from Windsor David Opati who is proving a thorn on the flesh of experienced Pros like Indiza.

“The day was okay, I am swinging well just a bit of my driver I need to adjust so that I can get consistent. The course is in superb condition but the greens are very firm you need to be very careful when approaching them”, said Opati.

Nyanza golf Club Resident Pro shot a strategic 2 under par 75 to stay in contention for the top prize. Home boy Richard Ainley continued his quest to win a prize in this tournament. He shot level par to stay at minus five 224 going into the fourth day of the KCB Pro-Am Tour.

Scores day 2

David Wakhu- 69, 68, 76= 213 -6

Dismas Indiza- 69, 74, 70=213 – 6

Opati 73, 66, 74 =213 – 6

David Odhiambo- 72, 69, 75=216 -3

Ngige -75, 77,71=223 +6

Muthugia -71, 73, 80=224 -5

Ainley- 75, 76,73= 224 +5

Ooko- 72, 76,76=224 +5

Simwa 74, 69, 72=225 +6

Lorum – 78,74,73 – 225 +6

Rokoine- 79, 73,73 – 225 +6

M. Karanja 74, 73,78 =225 +6

C.J Wangai- 71, 77,78=226 +7

Anil Shah -75, 77,74= 226 +7

Giddie- 78, 74,74- 226 +7

Evgeniia Zhgir (third right) spouse of fallen Zane Branson is comforted as their favourite number, Stay Alive, plays over his casket. Kenyan Orthodox leader, Arch Bishop Makarios (fifth right) looks on. PHOTO/Mutwiri Mutuota

ITEN, August 15- On a solemn occasion that oscillated between tears and despair to cheerful applause, the most telling moment came when Evgeniia Zhgir, partner and soulmate to fallen International Athletics Consultancy (IAC) director, Zane Edward Branson, stopped his funeral ceremony on Saturday in Iten to request one song.

Placing her phone and external speaker on his brown and silver casket, she then opened José González’s Staying Alive song, a soulful tune that summed the life they enjoyed together until that dark July 25 morning when Branson breathed his last in the same town.

I will stay with you tonight/ Hold you close ’til the morning light/ In the morning watch a new day rise/ We’ll do whatever just to stay alive/ We’ll do whatever just to stay alive

That’s the chorus of the special number that bound them in life and will continue in death, with the second and third lines engraved on his marble grave to immortalise his favourite tune at his final resting spot.

The scenic backdrop of the Kenyan rift valley provided the perfect setting to the final journey on earth for the director who was interred on Saturday at the self-styled University of Champions where footprints of his life’s work were all there for all to see.

Hundreds of mourners, among them famous athletes from within and outside IAC, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor, Alex Torgos, family members from America, fellow Athletes’ Representatives to the common man converged at the renowned Kamariny Stadium where many a champions are moulded for the funeral service led by the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Kenya, Archbishop Makarios.

The ceremony that went on until sometime after 2 O’clock local time (+3GMT) when his casket was finally lowered to his final resting place inside Kerio View Hotel resembled like a roll call of distance running greats, past and present.

Former Boston Marathon winner and Cherangany MP, Wesley Korir, two-time world champion, Edna Kiplagat, two-time London titleholder, Mary Keitany, two-time Chicago winner, Florence Kiplagat were just some of the active distance running icons present at the service as part of a Hollywood cast in the sport.

Devastated leading IAC lights among them former world marathon record holder, Patrick Makau, two-time World Cross Champion, Emily Chebet , Boston Marathon third finisher, Wilson Chebet and Commonwealth 10000m women champion, Joyce Chepkirui joined their colleagues in paying their last respects to their manager.

It was a sombre occasion that mirrored what the late Branson lived for and passed on doing when a fatal heart attack claimed his life in the same town on the morning July 25 as his partner at IAC, Davos Savija, called out the group he represented as a manager, father, mentor and friend.

Addressing them one by one, Savija told them how much the fallen director cherished, cared and enjoyed working for them in an emotional rendition that had some overcome with grief and had to leave the queue in front of the brown and silver casket bearing his remains.

“If Zane was to see you here today, he would punch your shoulder and pinch you lightly to tell you everything would be alright,” Savija told one of those in line as others sought shelter in the tents for support when it became too much to bear.

– Best Example-

Zane Branson’s casket is taken to its final resting place inside Kerio View Hotel in Iten. PHOTO/Mutwiri Mutuota

In his homily, Archbishop Makarios told mourners, “Zane is the best example of dedication and passion to something he loved. We do not believe people die, they just go to sleep to await the coming of our Lord, Jesus, Christ.”

Governor Tolgos announced the local County hospital would be equipped with equipment that could have saved his life on that fateful cold Saturday morning after the family requested his administration for specifications and list of items needed.

“They have brought a heart machine that will be placed at Kerio View first before the other equipment to prevent such deaths is installed at a place we have reserved for them in the hospital and we will name that part after Zane.

“I request all IAC athletes for a meeting to discuss how we can ensure his legacy in Iten and this region is never forgotten having worked so well to raise the standards of the sport in this County,” the County Chief told.

Among ideas floated to sustain his rich legacy includes having a road race in Iten annually on August 15 to mark his burial date.

Curiously, no Athletics Kenya (AK) national executive member attended the funeral despite the many years Branson, hailed as one of the best managers has worked with runners within and outside his management.

Local AK officials present apart from Master-Of-Ceremonies and coach, Boniface Tiren, retreated to the background.

Joyce Chekurui (left) and the late Zane Branson, her manager who passed on in Iten on July 25. PHOTO/Facebook

Branson was on a light morning run with his associate Kip Evans when he collapsed and died soon after from a heart attack as they went to meet an IAC group led by Chebet.

Well the way I feel is the way I write/ It isn’t like the thoughts of the man who lies/ There is a truth and it’s on our side/ Dawn is coming
Open your eyes/ Look into the sun as the new days rise

Gonzalez’ s Stay Alive says almost as a personal tribute to the former music lover and promoter turned Athletics manager who was born in America and passed on among the people he grew to adore the most and will forever remain in their midst.