Kenya prepares to host World U20 Championships amid worry over spike in teenage pregnancies
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E-mail Xinhua, June 21, 2020
NAIROBI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is worried it may miss several potential star runners for the postponed World Under-20 Championships owing to the rising number of teenage pregnancies.
Barnaba Korir, the Athletics Kenya vice president in charge of youth development, warned that more young athletes were getting into motherhood earlier than expected failing to live their full potential and excel in sports, especially athletics.
Speaking at a ceremony to distribute food to vulnerable athletes in the eastern Kenyan county of Machakos on Friday, Korir decried high rate of teenage pregnancies during the prolonged schools closure linked to COVID-19.
He cited recent reports indicating that in Machakos county alone, some 4,000 school girls below the age of 19 were already pregnant.
"We have to be worried. We have the World Under-20 Championship coming and these age-groups of athletes are the one we will depend on, but the high rate of teen pregnancies is disturbing. I urge young athletes, especially girls that sport is a short-time career. Work hard in school as well as in sport and invest well money earned from sport competition," said Korir.
The World Under-20 Championships is open to athletes under 20 years by December 31 of the year of competition. Nairobi was selected to stage the event back in 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina by World Athletics.
Korir said Athletics Kenya will do everything to protect the interest of young girls who have shown potential in track and field.
"We want the best talents to grow through the system and compete at the highest level. Don't marry off immediately you earn a few shillings after a competition. Listen to wise advice from your parent, guardian, coach and teachers to help you invest and develop your career as an elite athlete," said Korir.
Kenya has grappled with teenage pregnancies amid reported cases of sex abuse in unregulated training camps as coaches and training partners prey on young girls.
"Young athletes need to celebrate their hard-earned cash into their twilight years of athletics. Develop your talents and plan well your career beyond your teenage years," said Korir. Enditem
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