World Athletics boss Seb Coe in Kenya for semi-official visit

World Athletics boss Seb Coe in Kenya for semi-official visit
World Athletics President Sebastien Coe arrives at JKIA met by Athletics Kenya President Rtd Gen Jack Tuwei and Chief Excutive Officer Susan Kamau. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 4 – World Athletics boss Lord Sebastian Coe arrived in the country on Tuesday for a week-long semi-official tour.

Coe was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Athletics Kenya boss Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei and Chief Executive Officer Susan Kamau. He is expected to hold a meeting with AK officials later on, before also meeting Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.

“He will conduct open sessions with the coaches and athletes, which is most welcomed and a great honour. We shall release his engagement program when he visits the minister,” said Tuwei, as quoted by the Daily Nation.

Seb Coe, World Athletics President with Athletics Kenya President Rtd Lt Gen Jack Tuwei. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

Coe’s visit comes at a time when the country is grappling with the scourge of doping which has threatened to taint the image of the sport, with Kenya having survived a possible suspension from the World Governing body.

There have been increased cases of doping over the last year with close to 40 bans imposed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

The government promised to step up its commitment especially financially to help curb the vice and prevent Kenya from going the Russia way.

World Athletics President Sebastien Coe arrives at JKIA met by Athletics Kenya President Rtd Gen Jack Tuwei and Chief Executive Officer Susan Kamau. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

After his official engagements in Nairobi, Coe is expected to head down to the Coast for holiday.

Timothy Olobulu

A lover of sports who seeks to tell the African story in an African way. Top ten finalist of the Abu Dhabi Sports Media Pearl Awards. Be it on the pitch, court, track, pool or course, the story will be told. On twitter @olobulu