Kiprotich speaks out on sexual harassment
Stephen Kiprotich
KAMPALA. Stephen Kiprotich and Moses Kipsiro are not the best of friends. In fact, the last time they talked was in August 2013, days after Kiprotich had won the World Championships marathon title.
They met at President Museveni’s country home in Rwakitura as the head of state welcomed Kiprotich and the rest of Team Uganda from Moscow, Russia. “We are both very busy people so it’s hard to meet or even talk on phone,” Kiprotich told Daily Monitor in an interview. Kiprotich though has been touched by the tribulations the fellow international runner is currently facing.
“I know Kipsiro could have his issues as a person but I don’t like what is happening to him at the moment,” the Olympic champion said. “He should be concentrating on his training now but that’s not the case.”
Kipsiro recently hinted on switching nationality after receiving death threats through his mobile phone. He claimed the message was the handiwork of Police coach Peter Wemali.
Police are investigating the case, according to their spokesperson, Fred Enanga as the coach serves a suspension. Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), though, say Wemali was cleared after investigations last year. Wemali also insists he is innocent.
“I think UAF officials are being insensitive. This matter shouldn’t have dragged on up to this level,” Olympic and world marathon champion Kiprotich said during the interview in Luzira, Kampala township.
“These officials totally have no respect for athletes much as some of us might keep quite.”
Leaders from the three Sebei Region districts of Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo met last week and voted to ban coach Wemali from the area.
Kiprotich comes from Kapchorwa while Kipsiro hails from Bukwo.
The two are very popular figures in Sebei. “I had talked to some elders and religious leaders back home about the matter before the World Cross-country last month; we wanted to invite all the stakeholders and resolve the matter,” said Kiprotich.
Adding: “Unfortunately when Kipsiro pulled out of the cross-country, we called off the meeting to try and study the situation afresh. Its good they held another meeting. What hurts me is that athletics is losing. I might not be affected but there are runners that will never be the same again.”
Female runners abused
For the good of athletics, Kiprotich suggested that UAF should get rid of Wemali. “There is a girl, a distant relative, whose career she ruined. She was a very promising runner but she is now no more. She can’t run,” Kiprotich opened up. “I also remember some time in 2003 when I was at Sebei College, there was another young promising athlete, who Wemali was coaching. Later, I visited Wemali’s house only to find the girl at his home. He had turned her into a wife.”
“So why should we have such a coach in our sport,” he queried. “I don’t know why UAF is shielding him because he is a wrong character. The people in Kapchorwa don’t like him.”
He went on: “I want to retire and leave behind young runners to take over from me but that won’t happen if things remain like this.”
Kiprotich encouraged Kipsiro to try and find time to train even in such trying moments.
“I have had a share of such injustices but I normally keep quite. For instance in 2010, I qualified for the World Cross-country Championships after finishing fourth at national level but was dropped from the team,” he revealed.
“I missed the trip. I was training in Kenya but when I came back they told me I was unfit. I took heart and never complained to anyone. I knew time would come and the federation would be begging me to compete.”
In 2006, Kiprotich said he was to travel for the World Junior Championships in China but got informed on the day of the trip that he wouldn’t travel.
“I got a call from UAF that there was no ticket for me. I was so hurt. It’s one incident I will never forget in my life. This is the first time I am talking about it since then.”
