Athletics Kenya (AK) has warned athletes against participating in an upcoming recruitment exercise organised by European-based agency Scholarbook International, citing serious compliance and regulatory concerns.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsIn a public notice issued on Wednesday, 4 March, the federation announced the immediate suspension of all activities organised by the agency in Kenya.AK said Scholarbook International had contravened mandatory anti-doping regulations and event organisation requirements.##NAJAVA_MECA_9566437##The agency had publicised a “time trials/recruitment” event dubbed Golden Ticket Training, scheduled for 12 March, at Afraha Stadium, with information widely circulated on social media.“In direct contravention of this directive, Scholarbook International has proceeded to publicise and organise a ‘time trials/recruitment’ event named ‘Golden Ticket Training’ scheduled for 12th March 2026 at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru,” AK said.The federation maintained that the suspension was necessary to safeguard the integrity of the sport and protect the long-term careers of Kenyan athletes.“Athletics Kenya wishes to inform all athletes and the entire athletics fraternity that activities organised by Scholarbook International in Kenya are currently suspended by the federation. This suspension is due to non-compliance with Athletics Kenya's mandatory anti-doping regulations and event organisation requirements,” the statement read.A look at anti-doping violations that attract lifetime ban for athletesAK further cautioned athletes, coaches and support personnel that participating in unsanctioned events could jeopardise their eligibility under both national and international athletics governance frameworks.“Participation in non-sanctioned events by the federation may expose athletes to regulatory and eligibility risks under national and international athletics governance frameworks. We urge the athletics fraternity to adhere strictly to AK guidelines and to verify the status of events with the federation before committing to participate,” the statement added.Kenya, widely regarded as a global powerhouse in middle- and long-distance running, has historically attracted foreign institutions seeking to recruit promising talent for high school and university programmes abroad.Chepngeno, Ngeno to take on defending champions at Los Angeles Marathon on Women's DaySeveral Kenyan athletes have benefited from the scholarship pathway, including Rukia Nusra, Dorcas Ewoi, Doris Lemongole, Festus Lagat, Pamela Kosgei and Susan Ejore, who have gone on to compete successfully in the United States collegiate system while pursuing academic programmes.Perhaps the most notable beneficiary of the U.S. scholarship route remains Henry Rono, who rose to global prominence after enrolling at Washington State University in 1976.##NAJAVA_MECA_9565811##Rono went on to win six National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles and famously shattered four world records within 81 days, cementing his legacy as one of Kenya’s greatest distance runners.His success paved the way for generations of Kenyan athletes to transition into the American university system, using athletics scholarships as a stepping stone to both sporting glory and academic advancement.