Barnaba Korir: Tuwei ripe for World Athletics top job

Athletics Kenya president Lt.Gen. (Rtd)  Jackson Tuwei is a strong contender to succeed Lord Sebastian Coe as the head of World Athletics, should the latter ascend to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency.

This is according to Athletics Kenya Nairobi Region supremo Barnaba Korir, in his analysis of the now heating up race for the IOC presidency.

The current president of World Athletics, Lord Coe, 67, is among the seven approved candidates vying to replace IOC chair Thomas Bach, who declined to extend his tenure.

Coe is widely considered the frontrunner for the position, with strong support from 111 IOC members. If he secures the seat, it would leave the World Athletics presidency vacant.

"African athletics has never been in a better position to claim global leadership,” Korir highlighted in a social media update.

“The elevation of Mr. Jackson Tuwei of Kenya , who is the current Vice President, would be the most sensible choice at this moment,” he added.

Korir emphasised that Tuwei’s potential rise could significantly benefit the African athletics community.

“An African president would advocate for more infrastructure development, more races on the continent, and, finally, hosting the World Athletics Championships in Africa, something that has never happened before,” he stated.

Tuwei's leadership within Athletics Kenya and his position as vice president of World Athletics makes him a compelling candidate.

Korir also noted the support Tuwei would likely receive from African members of the World Athletics Congress, leveraging the strength of the African Charter in the voting process.

Sport Career & Athletic Achievements:

Vice-President / Individual Council Member, World Athletics

Senior Vice-President, Confederation of African Athletics (CAA)

President, Eastern Africa Athletics Region

Chairman, Military Athletics in Kenya

Chairman, East and Central African Liaison Office (CISM)

Athlete and sports captain during secondary school

Organized African Championships and trained CAA members on sports climate and air quality actions

Chairman of the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund.

Military officer for 39 years, retired in 2010

Held key roles in operations, training, and logistics

Attended professional and civilian courses locally and internationally

Progressed through military ranks with distinction