Korir replaces Tuwei as head of Commonwealth Games

Athletics Kenya’s head of youth development Barnabas Korir has been named Chef de Mission of Kenya’s team to the Commonwealth Games which will be held next April in Australia.

Korir replaces Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jackson Tuwei who had earlier been proposed for the position, before the AK chose to have Korir in that position after Tuwei opted out.

This appointment was confirmed Tuesday by new National Olympics Committee deputy secretary general Francis Mutuku who welcomed Korir on board and wished him the best in his duties.

“Under the new approach of appointments, the National Olympic Committee had reserved the position for Athletics Kenya and the nomination is well within their duty. Nock was represented in the first Chef de Mission meeting by Eliud Kariuki and he, together with the rest of the management team, shall be briefing federations this week on all aspects regarding their preparation arising out of that meeting,” the letter read.

Korir joins a team of eight other members who had been named on Friday evening following a meeting of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock).

Korir will be assisted in his position by acting sports commissioner Maina Kamau.  Mutuku, who is also Kenya Tennis Federation’s vice chairman, is the team’s executive officer, while Kenya Judo Association chairman Shadrack Maluki holds the position of general team manager with assistance of former Maseno High School principal Paul Otula.

Kenya Swimming Federation’s Winnie Kamau is in charge of managing the women’s team while Nock treasurer Eliud Kariuki is mandated to manage the finance kitty of the “Club” Games that will run from April 4 to 15 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Reacting to his appointment last night, Korir, who is also the chairman of Athletics Kenya’s Nairobi branch, said he is confident Kenya will deliver in Australia.

“I welcome the appointment and pledge to work closely with Nock to ensure that we have a great team to represent Kenya in Australia next year. I’m sure Kenya will deliver,” he said.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Louise Martin has expressed fears nations might not attend the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games unless issues surrounding visas are resolved in what the official termed as the “biggest risk to the Games”, according to a report by the insidethegames website.

The website said concerns over the visa process were raised at the Chef de Mission seminar last weekend with several Commonwealth Games Associations expressing concerns regarding the procedures currently in place, with a number questioning whether they are welcome in Australia. “Under the system for the Games, applications need to be made separately for accreditation and visas," insidethegames reported.

“It is a major move away from previous editions of the multi-sport event, where visas were part of the accreditation process. A key problem also surrounds individuals being required to apply for their own visas for the Games, including athletes, team officials and guests. Previously, the process has been handled completely by CGAs, team managers and Chef de Missions.”

Committee Members:

Chef De Mission: Barnabas Korir

Deputy Chef De Mission: Acting Sports Commissioner

General Team Manager: Shadrack Maluki

Deputy Team Manager: Paul Otula

Executive Officer: Francis Mutuku

Deputy Executive Officer: Nominee from Kenya Rugby Union (KRU)

Chief Medical Officer: Paul Rwambo

Manager Ladies: Winnie Kamau

Finance Officer: Eliud Kariuki