Team Uganda captain Moses Kipsiro has placed the country’s medal hopes at the World Athletics Championship in Russia in the hands of God.
Moses Kipsiro
Speaking before the first batch of eight athletes was flagged off, Kipsiro said the team had prepared adequately for the games and hoped they would do well at the games.
“The team is good and we have prepared well. If God is on our side we shall come back with medals,” Kipsiro stated before receiving the national flag from National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Jasper Aligawesa at Lugogo.
Aligaweesa urged the team to keep their discipline as they represent the country at the biennial event.
“We are confident that you shall gallantly represent the nation,” Aligawesa said.
The team that was flagged off included captain Kipsiro, Juliet Chekwel, Benjamin Kiplagat, Jackson Kiprop, Ronald Musagala, Phillip Kipyego, Timothy Torotich, Thomas Ayiekho and coach Benjamin Longiros.
“We have had enough training and I must say that the team is focused. I promise that we shall put up a good show,” a confident Longiros said.
Uganda Athletics Federation treasurer Godfrey Nuwagaba has also travelled with the team that will arrive in Moscow on Wednesday via Dubai.
The team will on Saturday be joined by US based long jumper Sarah Nambawa.
The marathon trio of Stephen Kiprotich, Jackson Kiprop and Abraham Kiplimo that is currently training Chirchir, Kenya leaves for Moscow next Tuesday.
Uganda has won three medals at senior level of the biennial competition. Davis Kamoga won Uganda’s first medal, a silver in the 400 meter, in Athens in 1997.
Dorcus Inzikuru then won gold in the steeplechase at the 2005 edition in Helsinki. Kipsiro then won bronze in the 2007 in 5000m.
By Michael Nsubuga and James Bakama, The New Vision
