Winfred Mutile Yavi
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Kenyans are celebrating following the World Athletics Council's decisive action to ban Bahrain from recruiting athletes until 2027.
This ruling comes on the heels of Winfred Mutile Yavi's victory at the Paris Olympics which sparked a national outcry regarding the growing trend of Kenyan athletes switching allegiance to other countries. Announced on Thursday, August 22, the ban follows a thorough investigation by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Board. The investigation reveals that the Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) had committed multiple breaches of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules. As a result, Bahrain is now prohibited from applying for any transfers of allegiance or recruiting foreign athletes for the next four years.
Often criticized for "buying" athletic talent from economically disadvantaged countries, particularly Kenya, Bahrain will now be required to focus on cultivating its athletes. Under the new regulations, Bahrain will be obligated to establish and fund a talent academy dedicated to developing local talent. This initiative is hoped to reduce the country’s previous dependence on foreign athletes. The ruling means that Bahrain's controversial practice of naturalizing athletes, especially from Kenya, will be suspended. The ban also includes significant restrictions on Bahrain’s participation in major events.
For instance, the number of athletes Bahrain can send to the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Tokyo 2025 World Championships will be limited to just 10. Furthermore, Bahrain will be barred from participating in any other World Athletics Series events for 12 months. Kenya, renowned for its high-altitude training camps and exceptional long-distance runners, has long attracted athletes from around the globe. In contrast, Bahrain’s approach has largely involved offering financial incentives and educational opportunities to lure Kenyan athletes to switch their allegiances. The Council praises Bahrain for its cooperation during the investigation, noting that the BAA admitted to the charges and accepted the sanctions imposed.
In response to the ruling, Bahrain has committed to spending up to $7.3 million over the next four years to address doping and integrity issues within its athletics programme. The country has also pledged to implement a strategic plan to overhaul its athletics federation and manage integrity concerns effectively. Additionally, Bahrain will establish a fully funded, independent national anti-doping organization that will adhere to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, to be operational until at least the end of 2026.
This ban is considered a significant victory for Kenya, which has seen many of its athletes compete with other nations in recent years. The issue of athletes switching nationalities has been contentious, with many arguing that it undermines fair competition and national pride. The AIU's investigation uncovered serious anti-doping rule violations, including homologous blood transfusions by two Bahraini athletes at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The investigation also revealed that a coach banned for anti-doping violations had worked with Bahrain’s national team from 2019 to 2021, prompting the AIU's stringent sanctions.
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Wivu! Wivu!! Wivu tuu!!! *There's NOthing Wrong with Her COMPETEing for Bahrain soLONG as She was Paid good (than KENYA).
Nobody said that there is something wrong...However,representing acountry is much more than just cash.Picture a situation where you have educated a girlfriend,and funded all her expenses till graduation with the hope that she would marry you,then John Doe pop up flashing more cash that you.She claims she loves you but Doe would give her abetter life...Should you just say Ok goodluck or will you try to reason with her...So as you see, its more than just getting paid.There is that intrinsic value that is still dear so some people.
What is good money? You are right though,she can do what she wants.That said, Iam sure Kenyans will not go quietly if in tomorrow's Daily Nation there is a headline " All medalists in the just concluded Olympic games have disclosed that they plan to switch allegiance to Quatar -for undisclosed colossal amount of petrodollars"...
@ gilbert Masitsa, in your view,Faith Kipyegon, Beautrice Chebet,Mary Moraa, Emma Wannyonyi should be given a pageantry send off to their new home in the gulf state? Trust me it's not wivu when Kenyans express discontent for such a transaction and switch of allegiance.Its something akin to betrayal...My two cents.
When you 'buy' athletes from another country,you are basically denying your own people achance to be athletes.So your potential athletes are the losers.Not only that but let's be serious,how much is Yavi a Bahraini? She lives in Kenya,trains in Kenya,and from what I read last, she was dedicating the gold medal to Kenya.Now tell me, if we bought 4 American sprinters and told Omanyala to relax and watch them represent Kenya,would that be fair to him,or Kenyan sprinters?
However, in situations where we have a glut of runners like in the marathon, I see no problem with afew marathoners 'selling their passports' for greener pasture, mindful that the well is not drying...
Yavi switched allegiance because she was having a hard time being selected to represent Kenya.Granted she was young(16),nobody would have imagined at that time that she would blossom into such a formidable athlete that she is now.The Arabs took a chance.It is this chance they should be taking on their athletes.First they have to begin with cultural chances and views on women.Yes not many want their women dressed in those skimpy singlets...exposing skin and knees-VERY SEXY.
Unfortunately,in a corrupt country like Kenya,crooks have taken advantage of these young athletes by falsifying their ages and thus staking a share in future monetary gains;should they get gobbled by oil rich states.
It is a shame,and I dont know what the CS of culture and sports is doing about it,but right now there are 26 athletes whose ages are being questioned as Kenya prepares to send its athletes in Lima Peru, next week for the World Under 20 championships.This is nothing new.Some of you may recall that Kenya was banned from participating in Junior soccer games after it was revealed that some of the players we over age.Again fall out of corruption.
I personally think that in the spirit of friendship and sportsmaship,participation is more important.Isn't that what Olympic games are about?Therefore countries should produce their own athletes to represent their countries.Nothing wrong with heading back home without a medal.Many countries did in the just ended Olympic games in Paris,France.Heck our neighbor TZ came back with an empty basket...But I think clubs like those in soccer should be formed in track and field events so that athletes are not 'bought' and thus snub their country of origin.- But can instead run for clubs but still profess allegiance to their mom-contry.My two cents.
I read somewhere she was asked by a Kenyan official for a $2000 bribe and had tried to make team Kenya for a while to no avail. Conversely from Bahrain, she is paid a monthly salary, medical care etc and if media reports are to be believed she got north of $400k for her win not to mention the prize money from her wins elsewhere. In addition, they let her keep her name and she trains in Kenya. I know it sucks for native Bahrainis but if you were given the same options, what would you do?
@ Mundumugo, I do not begrudge any Kenyan who goes for a better life.I would,and have done so...
Well, I guess the problem is that sports have become a business.There was atime when representing one's country was deemed an honorable,and patriotic thing to do.Nowdays, you have to attach some cash to that patriotic and civic duty,and rightly so.These athletes spend inordinate amount of time training.
Yeap, the native bahraini loses achance to go and represent her country,at least participate in the grand Olympics just because the sports authority in her country bought someone who could run faster,and truly ignoring the spirit of sportsmanship,which is participation...Well I guess.
Hey @Mundumugo, the closest I could compare what the Bahrain have done relative to Kenya is when the government contracted Cuban doctors,and gave them very attractive benefits...better than their Kenyan counterparts..
Granted doctors are"valued" more than athletes in the grand scheme of things,the notion that you are"ignoring' your own in favor of a foreigner does not sit well with many.Remember your own need nurturing too....However, where you have a shortage,by all means fulfill that shortage,especially where human welfare is concerned.
What nationalism? Why are people thinking it’s ok to chastise the runners for finding green pastures? Don’t we have more than a million Kenyans in every corner of the world all looking to make it in life? How many doctors engineers, teachers , nurses are out there making a decent living? Isn’t the government not exporting Kenyans everyday to work in foreign lands? Unless you have been living under a rock, you know how Ruto and his government are telling Kenyans that they are creating jobs in the diaspora. It is wrong to bar these runners from finding employment wherever they can find it.
These countries that are complaining that Bahrain is buying athletes is bs. That are the same that are crossing every African land looking for experienced nurses and taking them to their countries.
I think some people are conflating the two- representing your country and working for yourself. Nothing stops Kenyans from working outside their country or for that matter marry.Happens all the time.But what does not happen all the time is Kenyan authorities selection afew good men and women to represent the country. Those Kenyans who find their own way to USA,Uk,or wherever country, are not"representing Kenya"The government did not send them there to represent Kenya.
I think the difference is clear. If the government invests in you,there is an implied contract that you repay by working for the government.If the gov. does not invest in you,hecK you can do whatever you want...
Since when did an Arab run even in the slave trade error they relied on Camels to carry their lazy asses.It should apply to all Arabian countries including Dubai that is trying to recruit super star soccer players because the country sucks when it comes to athletics.It is not just national pride it makes sense. The french soccer team is mostly all black recruiting foreigners because their fat asses could not dribble a ball.
In all fairness, it is very hard to run in the sand especially wearing buibui.You try it...Not to mention in 98degres F.
Don’t understand why other countries such as Bahrain are legally being banned from hiring foreign athletes yet those hardworking athletes who’ve been rejected or marginalized by their own countries wouldn’t stand a chance in competing for their own countries due to corruption and tribalism anyway!
The rejected athletes should be given a fair share of opportunities to choose from! Very unfair! Some of us are living and working in foreign countries because of the same - seeking opportunities and better lives.
The issue here is that even the selection of athletes is based on corruption.
Why are we punishing our athletes while all they are trying to do is make a decent living?
Why don't they ban all in diaspora for working abroad ?
This is the Kenyan way. Avoid the whole issue of why the athletes leave in the first place and go for the “band aid” fix. Treat peripheral well and they won’t. Talent is across the board, not just in certain areas.
Buying athletes at 16 years of age is criminal. They protection. These Ishmael nations dump injured athletes after buying em and that means end of career as they can't run for anyone else. Plus they don't let em take money home. Another thing is the doping menace. Agents are giving young illiterate children dope at alarming levels
Yeap doping and age cheating.Once these kids are banned from doping and age cheating,the crooked managers,and trainers train their focus on other unsuspecting victims.
It's easy to cheat and manipulate an illiterate child,especially if you have a mzungu for company.
Hello mwakilishi.com webmaster, Thanks for the educational content!
When you 'buy' athletes from another country,you are basically denying your own people achance to be athletes.So your potential athletes are the losers.Not only that but let's be serious,how much is Yavi a Bahraini? She lives in Kenya,trains in Kenya,and from what I read last, she was dedicating the gold medal to Kenya.Now tell me, if we bought 4 American sprinters and told Omanyala to relax and watch them represent Kenya,would that be fair to him,or Kenyan sprinters?
However, in situations where we have a glut of runners like in the marathon, I see no problem with afew marathoners 'selling their passports' for greener pasture, mindful that the well is not drying...
Yavi switched allegiance because she was having a hard time being selected to represent Kenya.Granted she was young(16),nobody would have imagined at that time that she would blossom into such a formidable athlete that she is now.The Arabs took a chance.It is this chance they should be taking on their athletes.First they have to begin with cultural chances and views on women.Yes not many want their women dressed in those skimpy singlets...exposing skin and knees-VERY SEXY.
Unfortunately,in a corrupt country like Kenya,crooks have taken advantage of these young athletes by falsifying their ages and thus staking a share in future monetary gains;should they get gobbled by oil rich states.
It is a shame,and I dont know what the CS of culture and sports is doing about it,but right now there are 26 athletes whose ages are being questioned as Kenya prepares to send its athletes in Lima Peru, next week for the World Under 20 championships.This is nothing new.Some of you may recall that Kenya was banned from participating in Junior soccer games after it was revealed that some of the players we over age.Again fall out of corruption.
I personally think that in the spirit of friendship and sportsmaship,participation is more important.Isn't that what Olympic games are about?Therefore countries should produce their own athletes to represent their countries.Nothing wrong with heading back home without a medal.Many countries did in the just ended Olympic games in Paris,France.Heck our neighbor TZ came back with an empty basket...But I think clubs like those in soccer should be formed in track and field events so that athletes are not 'bought' and thus snub their country of origin.- But can instead run for clubs but still profess allegiance to their mom-contry.My two cents.