Lt (Rtd) Gen. Jackson Tuwei has been elected the World Athletics Vice-president.
Tuwei, the Athletics Kenya (AK) President won position in the just concluded elections at the 54th World Athletics Congress in Budapest, Hungary.
During the elections held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, the AK President garnered 104 points to win the position.
He was elected alongside former Colombian sprinter Ximena Restrepo who got 154 votes, retired Spanish triple jumper Raul Chapado (119), and former Indian sprinter Adille Sumariwalla (115).
Sebastian Coe retained his World Athletics Presidency unchallenged.
The new role adds on top of three other international positions that he currently holds. Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei also serves as the Confederation of Africa Athletics Senior Vice President and President of the Eastern Africa Athletics Region.
He is also a member of the World Athletics Global Calendar Committee.
In Kenya, Tuwei doubles up as the chairman of the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund.
Leaders congratulate Tuwei
Following his election, a number of top Kenyan leaders have taken to their social media pages to congratulate him.
President William Ruto in a post on his verified social media pages challenged the new World Athletics Vice-president to use the position to improve the sport both locally and internationally.
“Congratulations Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, President Athletics Kenya, on your election as Vice President of World Athletics in Budapest, Hungary. Use your new position to improve the sport in Kenya and the world,” the President said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Congratulations Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, President Athletics Kenya, on your election as Vice President of World Athletics in Budapest, Hungary. Use your new position to improve the sport in Kenya and the world.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 17, 2023
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has also congratulated the AK President for landing the global role.
Namwamba in a post on X said, “Congratulations General (Rtd.) Jackson Tuwei, President of @athletics_kenya on your election this morning in Budapest, Hungary as Vice-President of @WorldAthletics . Your well deserved election provides yet another platform for elevating Kenyan sports. Hongera!”
Congratulations General (Rtd.) Jackson Tuwei, President of @athletics_kenya on your election this morning in Budapest, Hungary as Vice-President of @WorldAthletics . Your well deserved election provides yet another platform for elevating Kenyan sports. Hongera! #TalantaHela pic.twitter.com/COxftyPoOV
— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH🇰🇪 (@AbabuNamwamba) August 17, 2023
The newly elected World Athletics officials will serve for a term of four years.
