Athletics Kenya President, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei has praised the launch of the Athletics Kenya Athlete Hub, Riadha Connect, describing it as a historic milestone that will revolutionize athletics administration, strengthen governance, and improve service delivery for athletes across the country.
Speaking during the official launch of the digital platform at Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu County, Tuwei said the Athlete Hub signifies another crucial moment in Kenya’s athletics history, comparing it to the country’s pioneering efforts in sports administration over the past four decades.
He noted that while Kenya has built a global reputation as an athletics powerhouse through the outstanding achievements of its athletes, the future of the sport requires equally strong, transparent, and technology-driven systems to support competitors and protect the integrity of athletics.
“The Athletics Kenya Athlete Hub represents far more than the launch of a digital platform. It is a comprehensive governance solution designed to transform the way Athletics Kenya delivers services, manages information, and upholds accountability across every aspect of the sport,” he said.
The AK president explained that the platform integrates key services, including athlete registration, support personnel accreditation, competition management, performance monitoring, training camp oversight, visa facilitation, and governance reporting into a single digital system.
He said the new platform will eliminate fragmented procedures and excessive paperwork by enabling athletes to access services more efficiently while ensuring coaches, managers, medical personnel, and other support staff are properly accredited and accountable.
According to the Athletics Kenya president, the Athlete Hub will also establish a centralized athlete database that will enable the federation to make evidence-based decisions using verified information and real-time performance data, replacing outdated manual record-keeping systems.
He added that competition management will be enhanced through streamlined athlete registration, eligibility verification, event administration, and integration with international performance records to improve rankings and athlete profiles.
Tuwei said the system will also simplify visa processing for athletes representing Kenya in regional, continental, and international competitions through structured digital approvals and secure document management.
On integrity, he noted that the platform is designed to integrate with anti-doping compliance systems, strengthening oversight and ensuring Athletics Kenya maintains the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
He thanked the government for financing the development of the Athlete Hub through the federation’s modernisation programme, saying the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to innovation and the long-term growth of athletics.
Tuwei also acknowledged the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics for providing technical guidance and support during the development of the platform.
Beyond the digital transformation, the AK Boss called for a united approach in tackling emerging challenges affecting athletics, including gender-based violence, age cheating, and the regulation of training camps.
He said Athletics Kenya is working closely with county governments and other stakeholders to strengthen oversight of training camps, improve athlete welfare, and ensure those operating within athletics environments are properly identified and accountable.
“We must work together across every sector to protect our athletes and safeguard the integrity of Kenyan athletics,” he said.
The Athletics Kenya Athlete Hub is expected to modernise the federation’s operations by providing a centralised, secure, and transparent digital platform that enhances service delivery, improves governance, and positions Kenyan athletics to meet the demands of the modern sporting landscape.
The ceremony concluded with the official launch of the Athlete Hub Digital Platform, marking the beginning of a new era of digital sports governance in Kenya.
Others present were Registrar of Sports Rose Wasike; officials from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics; Youth Development director at Athletics Kenya Barnabas Korir; and legendary athletes led by Eliud Kipchoge and others.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
