NAIROBI, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei targets to secure one of the four seats to serve as vice president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Tuwei is one of the 11 candidates, who have thrown their hats in the ring with the position having only four seats vacant.
In general, a total of 45 candidates will be elected into 18 positions to serve on the Council at the IAAF Congress on Sept. 25, two days ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Doha in 2019.
"In addition to these 18 positions, there will be six Area Presidents, for each continent, who have already been elected by their Areas and two members of the Athletes' Commission (one female and one male) who will be elected by the Athletes' Commission in November, making a total of 26 IAAF Council Members," said IAAF in a statement on Tuesday.
Tuwei said he was prompted to seek election in the global track and field body as he intends to help Africa and East Africa, powerhouse in the sport, to have a say in the happenings at the IAAF.
Sergey Bubka from Ukraine, who is also the senior vice president and Alberto Juantorena from Cuba, will be the favorite while Tuwei hopes to take over from Cameroonian Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, who is also the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) president and won't seek re-election as one of the vice presidents.
The late Isaiah Kiplagat, who led Athletics Kenya for over two decades, served on the IAAF council until his death.
"We have a strong list of candidates from 44 countries applying for IAAF Council positions, which demonstrates the global strength of our sport," said IAAF President, Sebastian Coe.
"I am particularly pleased that almost 40 percent of the candidates are female, something we have seen reflected across our Area elections, with four of our Areas electing a female vice president," he added.
