A record twelve athletes are expected to leave this weekend to represent Uganda at the 18th African Senior Championships which take place in Porto Novo, Benin from June 26th to July 1st.
Dominic Otuchet, chairman of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), who will also lead the delegation, told URN on Thursday that he is taking a strong team and expects to win medals besides qualifying more athletes for the London Olympics.
Uganda’s leading athletes, Moses Kipsiro, who won double gold at the 2011 Commonwealth Games and the All Africa Games, together with Annet Negesa, the All Africa Games 800m gold medalist, will be part of the team.
Otuchet said they would have loved to take as many athletes for the event, which will also help some athletes try to beat qualifying marks for the London Olympics, but UAF has faced financial difficulty.
The team was boosted with five tickets bought by the management of Namboole Stadium after cancelling their booking for this weekend’s National Championships in preference to a religious event which could fetch more money.
Kipsiro, who has struggled with poor form since the start of this season, will have to better his previous performances if he is to pick up gold and set precedence ahead of the London Olympics. He will be patterned by Geoffrey Kusuro in the 5000m category, but will also have to race in the 10,000m alongside Thomas Ayeko.
So far 48 countries including perennial giants Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco and Algeria, have confirmed participation in the Benin event. South Africa will send 75 athletes to compete in the various disciplines.
The athletes heading to Benin include Jacob Araptany (3000m-staple chase), Geoffrey Kusuro (5000m), Julius Mutekanga (800m), Ali Ngaimoko (400M), Jason Sewanyana (Triple Jump), and Moses Kipsiro (5000m & 10,000m). Also on the team are Thomas Ayeko (10,000m), Benjamin Kiplagat (3000m-staple chase), Annet Negesa (800m), Janet Achola (15000m), Viola Chemos (5000m) and Sarah Nambowa (Triple Jump).
