Athletics: NCS Welcomes Back Africa Youth Championship Heroes

National Council of Sports (NCS), on Tuesday afternoon, received the Athletics team that took part in the recently concluded Africa Youth Championship in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The team was received at Lugogo by NCS’ Bernard Ogwel and head of technical committee Andrew Soroweni with members of the fourth estate available.

NCS, a statutory government organ that Develop, Promote and Control sports activities in Uganda, treated the whole team to a luncheon.

Some of Uganda’s athletes that took part in Africa Youth Championship

Uganda finished seventh overall out of the 18 participating countries in a five day championship at Stake Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

The Pearl of Africa won three medals – Josephine Joyce Lalam scooped gold in Javelin, Samuel Kibet settled for Silver in 10,000 metres while Sarah Chelangat scooped bronze in 5000 metres.

L-R: Kibet, Lalam and Chelangat

“Am happy to receive you back with pleasure,” said a pleased Ogwel. “This is a testimony that we are talented.”

“This hasn’t been an easy achievement in the past years. Uganda is moving in the right direction due to improved government funding. I say this with a lot of prestige that we are now able to register the success with ease. If we invest in sport, the future is bright.”

Uganda took only 14 athletes in the competition, and the three medals will look as a commendable achievement.

Afande Soroweni (left) arriving at Lugogo

Other powerhouses like Ethiopia had 116 athletes, Kenya had 65 while Nigeria and South Africa had over 80 athletes, not to mention the hosts.

Afande Soroweni who advised athletes not to use performance enhancing drugs, briefly noted:

Head of technical committee, Soroweni:

“Team work is very important and am happy that we mastered it. I hail all of you that you are winners and heroes for this country. Your determination, focus has made has proud.”

Kenya and South Africa exerted their dominance, the latter led the way in the U18 category with 32 medals, 18 of them gold.

Afande Soroweni receives the National flag from the Athletics team captain

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