It was yet another moment of unending celebrations after three Kenyan runners were appointed to different athletics bodies.
Olympics and world 800m men’s champion David Rudisha is the new Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Athletes Commission President, while world steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi was appointed to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Athletes Commission.
The 2013 world steeplechase women’s champion Milcah Chemos has joined Athletics Kenya executives as the athletes representative, replacing former Olympic champion, Noah Ngeny.
“Indeed, President CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum has chosen you for many objective reasons to lead the destiny of this important commission of which our colleague Frank Fredericks was the outgoing president,” read part of Rudisha’s appointment letter.
Rudisha’s immediate responsibility will be to appoint three of the seven commission members he will work with in the continental athletics body. The Olympic champion also urged AK to set high standards in the qualification for 2017 London World Championships.
One of the leading issues in Rudisha’s in-tray will be tackling the mass exodus by African athletes to foreign nations.
“I feel honoured. Kenya has been the heart of athletics in the world and this appointment is purely on merit. As President, I will strive to unite all athletics federations in Africa as we champion for the rights of athletes,” said Rudisha.
Kemboi has also cherished his appointed to the IAAF adding that the position will help him serve and unite athletes across the world.
“As an IAAF Commission member, I will try to use that capacity to market Kenya to the rest of the world,” said Kemboi, who urged AK and the government to increase remuneration package for Kenyan athletes, adding that this will help curb the troubling change of nationality by young Kenyan athletes.
“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,” said AK President, Jackson Tuwei. Chemos said she has began her training sessions ahead of the World Championships, but has shifted from steeplechase to 5000m and 10,000m.
At the same time, AK vice president Jinaro Kibet has been appointed into an IAAF committee looking into cases and legislation in the change of allegiance or nationality by athletes.
