Jack Tuwei challenges Athletics officials to protect Kenya’s name
Newly elected World Athletics vice president Jackson Tuwei has challenged athletics officials across the country to be more vigilant and objective in a bid to keep the good name of the East African nation at the highest level.
Speaking on arrival from Budapest, Hungary, Tuwei, who doubles up as the President of Athletic Kenya (AK), stated Kenya had a good name in relation to athletics adding it played a huge role in being elected to serve as one of four World Athletics vice presidents.
Tuwei became the first ever Kenyan to be second in command at World Athletics, after managing 104 votes in the polls held ahead of the athletics events on August 17. He took up the new role alongside retired Colombian sprinter Ximena Restrepo who managed 154 votes as well as former Spanish triple jumper Raul Chapado (119) and ex Indian sprinter Adille Sumariwalla (115).
“I want to thank each one of you for the support you have given me, because when I took over as the President of AK, I saw the support of each one of you, and I would like to encourage all of us particularly those in the ward level, sub-county, the Country and the region that we need to work extra hard so as to keep our good name at the highest level,” said Tuwei.
He added: “As a country, we have a good name in the world of athletics, the AK leadership has been superb, the transition has been happening in a smooth way and now we are called upon to be more vigilant on what we do, be more objective on what we say and be more assertive on what we do.”
Tuwei, further challenged the officials to build the country for the future by saying: “Let us look at ourselves at the highest level because our athletes have done good, and leadership level we have done good but must keep the fire burning, let us be proud of our country, if we cannot build this country, who else can do it for us, we must build the country for the future.”
On his new position, Tuwei thanked God for the journey he had taken him through adding it will play a huge role in building a strong athletics force in the country.
“For the purpose of history that seat has been occupied by other Africans before, the first person to occupy that seat was the late Lamine Diack, who eventually rose to become the President of IAAF, so he was the first African,” said Tuwei, adding: “I am the third one from Africa but the first one from Kenya, so I thank God for the journey he has taken me through and am optimistic the position will work in favour of the country.”
During the Budapest event, Kenya finished first among African nations and fifth in the world after bagging a total of 10 medals; 3 Gold, 3 Silver, and 4 Bronze to surpass their performance during the last event held in Oregon last year.
