The President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), Dominic Otuchet has said Uganda is going to break the jinx at the 2012 London Olympics by winning gold after 40 years of waiting.
“Forty years of waiting for a gold medal is a long time. It is exactly 40 years since John Aki Bua won gold at the Munich Olympics and it’s now we must bring gold and other medals from London,” said Otuchet on Friday night during an interview with URN.
The official further said because of the high level of preparations the 12 athletes have attained is really high and this puts them in great shape to win medals. “I want to assure Ugandans that this is the time to bring back medals from the Olympics,” said the optimistic official.
//Cue in: I want to assure…
Cue out: A gold medal,”//
He also said Uganda’s top athletes have all had chance to get lots of exposure and test their speeds at international meets this season. He said although the other Team Uganda athletes will leave early, the track and field athletes prefer to leave late so that they are not affected by the cold weather in London as they would be if they travel early.
Speaking about his medal hopefuls, Otuchet said he thinks 2011 Commonwealth double gold medalist Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (5,000m, 10,000m), Annet Negesa (800m), Jacob Araptany (3000m steeplechase) and former world champion Dorcus Inzikuru (3,000m steeplechase) can make Uganda proud. Besides the track and field athletes, Uganda will also send athletes in badminton, weightlifting and swimming.
Besides the Vice President Edward Ssekandi who will lead the Ugandan contingent, the other officials who will be in London include; Charles Bakkabulindi (Sports Minister), Omara Apita (Sports Commissioner-Ministry of Education and Sports), Anthony Katamba (National Council of Sports Board Chairman), Nicholas Muramagi (Team manager/Assistant Secretary General, National Council of Sports), Jasper Aligawesa (General secretary, National Council of Sports), Dan Tamwesigire (Minister's Attache/Chairman, Namboole Stadium Board) William Blick (Uganda Olympic Committee Acting President) and Penninah Kabenge (Secretary General Uganda Olympic Committee) among others.
