Defending champions Kenya took an early lead on Day 1 of the Eastern Africa Athletics Youth Championships which started at Namboole Stadium on Friday.
The Kenyan youngsters grabbed top honours in most of the seven events lined up for the day. Apart from the 100m for women which was won by Uganda’s Maureen Banura and Scovia Ayikoru settling for a silver medal, the other races were comfortably won by the Kenyans.
The men’s 100m races saw Kenya’s duo of Duke Ogotio and Josohat Mutuku take gold and silver, while Uganda’s Sam Kakaire settled for silver. The Kenyan duo of Sheila Chepngetick and Jarinter Mawia agains dominated in the women’s 800m race.
Dominic Otucet, Chairman of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) told URN that he was not very satisfied with the way his athletes had performed on Day 1 and hoped that they will be even better tomorrow on the last day of the event.
// Cue in: Day one has been fair……
Cue out; There are boys who have tried and I congratulate them,”//
The event which is being used to prepare athletes for the forth coming World Youth Championships in Barcelona, Spain has attracted Kenya, Djibouti, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania whose team that is expected this evening will only take part in the events tomorrow.
In the men’s 100m, Uganda’s medal hopeful Jimmy Kidega made a poor start and fell after taking off the blocks. Kidega was in tears after his failed attempt and refused to speak to this reporter.
George Leru Palanda, the head of the youth in UAF told URN that he expects the Ugandan team to come all out tomorrow and put up a good show. “We know the Kenyans are very good and have started well, but we can still turn tables and win the event,” said Palanda.
//Cue in; …Day one has started well and I am happy….
Cue out; A technical planning meeting to decide,”//
Kenya again came out top in the men’s High jump with Collins Kibet winning gold, while Uganda’s Alex Okiror and Geoffrey Kidega came second and third respectively. Uganda’s Evelyn Acan won gold in the women’s Long jump, while another Ugandan Evelyn Acan bagged silver. Action continues tomorrow at Namboole Stadium.
