Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/608340
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2015 57 KENYA, facing scrutiny from world anti-doping officials and criticism that it is not doing enough to tackle the problem, has banned seven more athletes for doping offences, raising the total number of Kenyan drug cases in the last three years to 40. In a statement late on Friday, Athletics Kenya said it had con- firmed the sanctions against seven athletes for a range of drug offences. The list included Emily Chebet, a double world cross country champion and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist. She was handed a four-year ban after testing positive for a diuretic. Joyce Zakary, a 400 metre run- ner, and hurdler Koki Manunga were also given four-year bans. Both tested positive for diuret- ics at this year's world champi- onships in Beijing. The latest list also included four long-distance runners, Agnes Jepkosgei, Bernard Mwendia, Judy Jesire Kimuge and Lilian Moraa Marita. They were each suspended for be- tween two and four years. Kenya boasts some of the world's finest middle and long- distance runners but in recent years has been shaken by a spate of failed drug tests. Some ath- letes have said the government and Athletics Kenya have not taken the issue seriously. Allegations of corruption among Athletics Kenya chiefs tied to a corporate sponsorship deal, combined with Russia's recent ban from global athlet- ics, have stirred fears the East African nation could be banned from international track and field. In total, 43 Kenyans have been suspended for doping with 40 of those in the last three years, including Rita Jeptoo, who won the Boston and Chicago Mara- thons. ATHLETICS ATHLETICS Sport Kenya bans seven more athletes for doping Emily Chebet, a double world cross country champion and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist has been handed a four-year ban after testing posi- tive for a diureti Birkirkara's Gabriella Zahra wins BOV Female Player of the month BIRKIRKARA midfielder Gabriella Zahra was selected as the BOV Fe- male Player of the Month for Sep- tember and October 2015. Zahra enjoyed outstanding dis- plays in the heart of the Birkirkara midfield in their outings during these two months and was a major catalyst in initiating Birkirkara's of- fence. Zahra is known for surging with the ball from the midfield and sup- plying accurate passes and crosses. Her perfect pass to an unmarked Kim Parnis for the 2-1 lead against Raiders is one example of her indi- vidual skills alongside her great vi- sion of the game. Bernard Azzopardi, Manager of Bank of Valletta's Birkirkara Branch presented the BOV Female Player of the Month trophy to Zahra.