Breaking News: At least 10 feared to have drowned in Makueni river
AK to Wario: We shall not work with Muthee
What you need to know:
- Tuwei questioned why Wario made the appointment without consulting him as the LOC chairman.
- Tuwei said the government is yet to disburse money to enable them start preparations for the championships.
Athletics Kenya wants the appointment of Mwangi Muthee as the CEO of the Local Organising Committee for 2017 World Under-18 Championships revoked.
AK delegates, who held a lengthy meeting at Riadha House on Wednesday, termed Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario’s appointment of Muthee, a former Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman, as “an insult to the federation, retired and active athletes”.
Addressing the press after the meeting, AK boss Jackson Tuwei said that the delegates want one of their own appointed to the position.
Tuwei, who was joined by by members of the Professional Athletes Association of Kenya (PAAK), questioned why Wario made the appointment without consulting him as the LOC chairman.
Muthee’s appointment follows the suspension of Isaac Mwangi by the IAAF Ethics Board after bribery allegations from two banned female sprinters.
“We have no problem with Mwangi Muthee as a person but we have an issue with the appointing authority. “It appears to be an insult appointing someone, who handled another sports federation to athletics yet we have credible former and active athletes who can handle the job,” said Tuwei.
In 2007, Isaac Kalua was appointed CEO of the World Cross-Country Championships in Mombasa. Asked why AK did not challenge the decision then because Kalua wasn’t ‘one of their own’, Tuwei just said: “This is a new era in athletics…?”
Tuwei said the government is yet to disburse money to enable them start preparations for the championships. “We don’t want to issue threats but let the minister do what is necessary for us to move forward,” said Tuwei. Wario could not be reached for a comment.
