Celebrated Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei was on Saturday laid to rest at her home in Bukwo district.
Her death, shook not just Uganda and the athletics community but the entire East African region.
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for sports Kipchumba Murkomen who attended the burial stated that the death should prick everyone’s conscience to do more to end gender-based violence in sports.
Rebecca, who died on September 5, was a loving mother and a friend to many. She had worked hard and catapulted herself to international glory, only for her dreams to be cut short by a vicious attack from someone she knew.
Murkomen noted that sadly, Chptegei’s death wasn’t the first such tragedy in Kenya.
“One previous case – that of world record holder Agnes Tirop – led to the creation of a committee on gender-based violence in sports. The panel’s report recommended what we need to do to prevent such cases,” he stated.
The CS was categorical that the recommendations have to be implemented.
This, he said will create a safe environment where athletes can thrive.
Among the key measures is the mainstreaming of psychosocial support for athletes and requiring that female sports camps be run by women, with men only offering support.
“And for travelling teams, we will ensure there’s a female matron for women teams heading to national, continental and international competitions, and end the current practice of some women teams travelling with an all-male technical team,” he said.
The burial ceremony was attended by Ugandan government officials led by Sports Minister Peter Ogwang, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, MPs led by Hon Eveylne Chemutai and Dr Robert Pukose, and the athletics fraternity from Kenya and Uganda.
