Adak turns to social media to fight doping

What you need to know:

  • The agency will also hold road shows and run adverts in the print and electronic media, to reach out to the sportsmen most of who are still ignorant about doping laws.
  • Adak is already working with the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association to educate students about the dangers of banned substances in sports.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) will use the power of social media to enlighten sportspersons about doping and its repercussions.

The agency will also hold road shows and run adverts in the print and electronic media, to reach out to the sportsmen most of who are still ignorant about doping laws.

Adak's Director of Education and Research Agnes Wanjiku Mandu on Saturday said most of their outreach programs have been more private but this year they will use other channels to reach out to the sportspersons across the country.

"We will do roadshows during major sports events as we target to reach both the athletes and the sports lovers," Mandu said.

"Social media is a very strong tool to reach out to the younger generation who are more vulnerable especially when it comes to drug abuse," Mandu said on Saturday during the National Cross Country Championships at the Uhuru Gardens.

"Previously, we have been reaching out to groups and individual athletes, but now we want to go all out and also have road shows."

"We cannot reach all sportsmen at a personal level, but through the power of the media we will be able to get to them."

Adak is already working with the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association to educate students about the dangers of banned substances in sports.