NAIROBI, Kenya, June 15 – Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei has been nominated for one of four positions of vice president of the World Athletics.
Tuwei will face seven other candidates including Nawaf Bin Mohammed Al Saud (Saudi Arabia), Raul Chapado (Spain), Abby Hoffman (Canada), Antti Pihlakoski (Finland), Ximena Restrepo (Chile), Geoff Gardener (New Zealand) and Adille Sumariwalla (India).
In his plan for the sport as a vice president of the world governing body, Tuwei states that he will enhance the number and active participation of women and minorities in technical positions as well as leadership positions.
“I will bring along my passion, unique experience and commitment for success. I have much to share having learned valuable lessons from our successes and challenges. I would support an increase in the number of women and minorities in leadership and technical positions in athletics and promotion of integrity by combating doping in Kenya,” Tuwei says.
The retired military general has been at the helm of AK for the past eight years and has overseen Team Kenya’s participation at major international competitions including two Olympics Games, three World Championships and two Commonwealth Games, among others.
During his reign, Kenya has also hosted a number of international competitions including the 2017 World Under 18 Championships, 2021 World Under 20 Championships, the Kipchoge Keino World Athletics Continental Tour and the World Cross Country Tour.
The country was also on the verge of becoming the first African country in history to host a World Championships before losing the bid to stage it in 2025 to Tokyo.
Tuwei also points to the installation of 12 air quality monitors around the continent as one of the hallmarks of his time in athletics administration.
“Organised African Championships and trained Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) members on Sports for Climate and Air Quality Actions. Installed 12 air quality monitors in five countries around the continent,” Tuwei, also the vice president of CAA, says.
AK was among one of the first federations to adopt the Sports for Climate and Air Quality program, which seeks to empower athletics stakeholders to play a proactive role in combating climate change.
However, Tuwei’s reign has also coincided with a period in which the country’s reputation as an athletics powerhouse is being stained by doping.
Kenya was classified as a Category A federation as one of the countries that are highly suscpetible to rampant doping cases.
AK have made considerable efforts to curb the vice, such as sensitisation of athletes, sanctions against culprits and collaboration with local and international anti-doping agencies.
Tuwei will also be contesting for one of 13 positions on the WA individual council.
