Kenya bans 4 agents

[kitkat1]

@kitkat1

[NOTE: WHILE THERE ARE SOME ROGUE AGENTS DEALING IN KENYA, THE LOCAL NATIONAL FEDERATION THERE HAS ALSO PREVIOUSLY JUMPED TO FALSE CONCLUSIONS IN THE CASE OF A COUPLE OF MANAGERS I KNOW PERSONALLY (subsequently reinstating them), SO WE SHOULD TAKE THIS REPORT ALSO WITH A GRAIN A SALT. - KK]

Athletics Kenya acts tough

Published on 21/01/2009
By Mutwiri Mutuota

Chris Gower, Hussein Makke, Ian Ladbrooke and Khalil Benhalima were named as the managers whose licences have been revoked by Athletics Kenya (AK) as the federation moved to reign in on what they termed ‘rogue’ agents.

While exposing their identities to the press after FeverPitch carried on Wednesday the decision to sanction the four, AK chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat said, “They have featured prominently in complaints by athletes under them for withholding earnings, not giving them races among other problems.”

Consequently, the four have until February 19, when AK will meet all registered agents to appeal the decision.

The federation also released the list of the 38 managers/agents who will be allowed to represent Kenyan runners where ten new names feature.

But on a day where AK gave a raft of policy statements that have potential of far reaching effects in the management of the sport, the issue of the sanctioned managers took centre stage.

British national, Ladbrooke handles marathoners John Mutai, Joseph Riri, Helen Cherono and Zak Kihara, who won the 2005 Edinburgh Marathon.

Twice World Half silver medallist and seven time sub-60 half-marathoner, Patrick Makau Musyoki, told FeverPitch he left Ladbrooke’s stable after financial disputes.

“He was not honest when it came to my money and I decided to leave him for Zane Branson,” Makau claimed.

Beirut-born American national, Makke who runs the Elite Sports Management International (Esmi) represented among others the late Wesley Ngetich, the marathoner killed last January at the height of post-election violence.

Seasoned runners, Henry Kipchirchir, a former All Africa Games bronze winner, Leah Malot, Isaac Arusei, Reuben Chebii, Naomi Wangui and Grace Njoki are some listed in Esmi’s website http://www.esmintl.com/athletes.html.

The inventory also contains Russian marathoner, Lyubov Denisova who tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio — the same finding that derailed 2006 Tour de France champion Floyd Landis and the convicted cheat Asmae Leghzaoui.

Benhalima is a France-based manager while British born Gowar and his firm Christopher and Associates are based in Nairobi. Speaking to FeverPitch, Gower expressed his ‘astonishment and shock’ over AK’s decision saying he would appeal against the decision.

“I was informed my application had been declined and launched an appeal where I was to give them all details, I cannot believe this,” he said.

[GEE, DIDN’T HAVE TO WAIT LONG FOR SOME MORE LIGHT TO BE SHED ON THE MANAGEMENT STYLE OF ATHLETICS KENYA! - AS PREDICTED -KK]

Axed managers now fight back

Published on 22/01/2009
By Mutwiri Mutuota

Managers who had their licences withdrawn have reacted sharply against Athletics Kenya (AK), saying the decision was premature and claimed underhand dealings in the whole process.

In a swift rejoinder, AK General Secretary, David Okeyo, dismissed their take, saying the affected were free to appeal the decision for their cases to be reconsidered by the Executive Committee.

Speaking to FeverPitch from London, Ian Ladbrooke, termed AK’s decision to decline his application for a licence as ‘astonishing and saddening’ saying that the federation acted hastily.

“I have a couple of disputes going on with my runners and we were in the process of resolving them. I responded to AK’s email answering their queries only to be stunned by the information I had been suspended,” Ladbrooke said.

Astonished

The manager, who has worked with Kenyan runners since 1996, learned about his suspension from colleague Chris Gowar who suffered the same fate.

"Both of us were astonished by AK’s actions and the allegations they are making about us are comical. I was with (AK chairman, Isaiah) Kiplagat at the Mumbai Marathon last week and he gave me no clue of what was about to happen.

“There were about 20 Kenyan runners in the race and there was no indication there was a problem,” he told FeverPitch.

Ladbrooke is accused of withholding athletes’ monies received on their behalf. His charges, led by the 2006 Edinburgh Marathon champion, Joseph Mutunga Mbithi, leapt to their manager’s defence and read mischief in AK’s move. “I am afraid that one of our colleagues who had problems with Ladbrooke is behind this,” Mutunga claimed. “We will try to talk to him and get to the bottom of the matter. Our manager has done nothing wrong and we are happy with him,” he said.

[b]In a related development, two runners at the centre of Gower’s double registration allegations that got him sanctioned by AK came out to deny the charges. Marathoners Tabitha Kibet and David Ruto said that they had entered into varied contracts with Gower.

“I registered with him only and I have no problems with him when it comes to my dues, he has provided everything for me including insurance,” Kibet said.[/b]

[ATHLETICS KENYA REALLY ARE RIDICULOUS - VERY DANGEROUS, BUT VERY RIDICULOUS. THEY TRY TO PULL ALL SORTS OF SHENANIGANS - LIKE CHARGING INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS TO INTERVIEW THEIR RUNNERS… - kk]