NAIROBI, Kenya, April 15- The elective four-day 16th Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) Congress starts Saturday in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Council members will vote in a new office to run the continental athletics governing body where Athletics Kenya (AK) general secretary, David Okeyo, is defending his vice-president’s seat.
Cameroonian national, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, retains the CAA’s presidency unopposed as will the only female vice-president Violet Odogwu-Nwajei from Nigeria.
Six candidates including Okeyo will vie for the remaining four vice-president slots. Other posts up for grabs include Treasurer General, eight Members slots, Athlete’s Representative and five Presidents of Regions.
“I’m confident I will retain my seat despite the competition as two new candidates have confirmed their interests. The network I have established among the members should see me through,” Okeyo said before his departure to Cameroon.
Besides the elections a progress report on the 10th Africa Junior Championships set for Botswana will be presented.
The Botswana Gazette quoted the president of the event’s Local Organising Committee, Solly Reikeletseng, confirming the country’s government was ready to sign the protocol to host the age group event.
Meanwhile, financial constraints compelled AK to withdraw the country’s team from the Race Walking African Championships that start Saturday in Mauritius.
“Our walkers have improved in the last few years and we have the record holder in the women’s category but we could not meet the costs of sending our team to Mauritius,” Okeyo told Capital Sport.
“This does not mean we will not try our best to ensure they qualify for the World Championships and All Africa Games,” he added.
