NAIROBI, Kenya, August 11, 2025 – Athletics Kenya (AK) have released a new set of guidelines on appointment of individuals as athletes representatives (AR) in an effort to curb exploitation of athletes, among other vices.
The new set of guidelines dictate that all ARs must possess valid licenses from the federation as well as the World Athletics (WA).
This applies even to cases where the purported AR is a family member or a coach of the athlete.
Furthermore, the federation has decreed that all ARs will have to sign a formal agreement with their athletes, which indicates duration of the agreement; nature of the representation; service fee due to the AR – linked to the benefits received by the athlete – as well as clauses on the termination of the agreement.
In cases where the athlete is minor – aged 17 years and six months – the AR must obtain consent from the parents or the guardian before approaching him or her for representation.
Moreover, the AR must first undergo specialised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course on minors as prescribed by WA.
The new guidelines are expected to go a long way in safeguarding the interests of athletes who many times have fallen prey to unscrupulous ARs who exploit them financially, leaving them destitute.
It ensures that athletes have a greater say on their welfare whereas it enhances AK’s surveillance on fraudulent individuals who have for long stripped unsuspecting sportspersons of their hard-earned earnings on the track, field and on the roads.
