NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 10- Double World and Olympic Champion David Rudisha has been appointed to head the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Athletes’ Commission by CAA president Kalkaba Malboum, replacing Namibian Frank Fredericks.
As President of CAA Athletes’ Commission, Rudisha’s immediate responsibility will be to appoint three of the seven commission members he will work with to make high profile decisions that will affect operations of athletes within the continent.
Rudisha who received his appointment on Thursday thanked Athletics Kenya (AK) stating his appointment was as a result of stability created by the local athletics body.
“I feel honored. Kenya has been the heart of athletics globally and this appointment is purely on merit. As president I will strive to unite all the athletics federations in Africa as we champion for the rights of athletes,” noted Rudisha.
Among the key issues Rudisha said he would tackle include the mass exodus of African athletes to European and Gulf nations, the most recent being that of steeplechaser Ruth Jebet who won gold at the Rio Olympics running in Bahrain colors.
This comes as Athletics Kenya vice president Jinaro Kibet was appointed to an IAAF committee that will look into the increase of nationality switches especially from Eastern Africa which is the cradle of long distance running.
At the same time, four-time world champion and 2012 Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi was appointed into the IAAF athletes’ commission.
Kemboi has cherished his appointment stating the position will help him serve and unite athletes from all over the world.
“As an IAAF Commission member I will try to use that capacity to market Kenya to the rest of the world. It is a great thing to be recognized and handed this appointment,” noted Kemboi.
Kemboi also touched on the issue of athletes switching allegiances, challenging AK and the government to reconsider the athletes’ remuneration package to cut down on the number of athletes moving abroad in search of greener pastures.
Also, 2013 World 3000m steeplechase champion Milcah Chemos has been appointed into the Athletics Kenya executive as an athletes’ representative, taking over from 2000 Sydney Olympics 1500m champion Noah Ngeny.
“As AK athletes representative Chemos will be charged with representing Kenyan athletes in local and international forums as she works hand in hand with both Rudisha and Kemboi,” noted AK President Jackson Tuwei.