Athletics: Uganda Send First Bunch To World Championships In Doha

Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) and National Council of Sports (NCS) has on Tuesday morning flagged off a group of six athletes for the World Championships.

It should be noted that Uganda will be represented by 22 athletes, a record entry, at this year’s 17th edition of the IAAF World Athletics Championships scheduled between 27 September and 6 October 2019 in Doha at the multipurpose Khalifa International Stadium.

The team of six include Shida Leni, Stella Chesang, Peruth Chemutai, Stephen Kissa, Linet Chebet and Rachael Zena Chebet.

Also read – Uganda’s full list to Doha revealed

This will be joined by Halima Nakayi, Winnie Nanyondo and Oscar Chelimo who are already in Europe and will just cross to Doha.

The other bunch – that includes the likes of Jacob Kiplimo, Solomon Mutai, Stephen Kiprotich and Joshua Cheptegei will leave to Doha on October 4.

Coach Mohammed Abdallah confirmed that the last bunch – long distance runners – are still maximizing their training as their event will come near to the end of the Championship.

“We have had good preparations,” coach Abdallah told Journalists at Lugogo. “We hope to do better than last time as we have a bigger and stronger contingent.”

“However, people should pray for us because we are going to go against the World’s best.”

In the last championship held in 2017 in London, UK (England), Uganda scooped one medal – Cheptegei came second, behind Mo Farah to settle for Silver in the 5000M.

The team has been in camp for two months in Kapchorwa. However, Kapchorwa conditions are cold while Doha is very hot. Coach Abdallah noted that some athletes held their conditions during afternoon (hot).

Kissa returns to the Championships to make amends after failing to make the semifinals cut in London. His personal best time is 13:10.93 minutes, achieved in July 2018 at Athletissima in Lausanne.

Peruth Chemutai is a promising runner, at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Apia, she won silver medals in the 1500 metres and 3000 metres.

Leni on the other hand will be making her debut at worlds. She broke the 400m and 200m records at the country’s National Championships, held at Namboole in July and will be hoping for the best against the world’s best.

Chesang never made the semifinals in 2017 when in 5000M but will now be going for the 10,000M this time round.

Did you know
IAAF has confirmed that more than 1900 athletes from 210 teams will be in action in the Qatari capital between 27 September and 6 October.

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