Minister Obua Visits High Altitude Centre, Warns Olympics Bound Athletes

State minister for sports Hamson Obua made a site visit to the Teyret High Altitude Centre to check on the progress of the sports facility.

He was accompanied by the NCS Chairman Donald Rukare, General Secretary Dr. Patrick Ogwel and Commissioner of PES.

The Centre was President Museveni’s reward to athletes led by Moses Kipsiro who won Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and Stephen Kiprotich who won Olympic Gold in London 2012.

The High Altitude Centre. NCS photos

This was Obua’s second visit this year at the multi-purpose complex which was earlier budgeted to cost Shs17bn.

He was unimpressed by the progress in April during his first visit and tasked the contractor to deliver the first phase by end of June.

The continget later visited the Olympics bound athlete’s camp in Kapchorwa.

The meeting focused on many issues but pertinently the health advice during these Covid-19 pandemic times.

Minister Hamson Obua

The Olympics bound athletes were advised to exercise extra caution as the only way to steer clear of covid-19 which may hamper participation chances at the coveted games.

“Keeping yourselves from Covid is not a shared responsibility, but individual. If you’re suspicious of a person please speak out because he/she may cause problems to the entire team”. Sports Minister Hamson Obua warned.

“We are going to stop visits from the public including your families and regular tests will be conducted” Obua asserts.

Uganda Olympic committee President Donald Rukare (who is also the NCS chairman) also weighed in especially on the issue of doping and discipline.

“My only irhe to you is discipline. The rule book at the Tokyo games has changed and you need to be cautious. You also need to be aware of the Anti doping rules.”

L-R: Bernard Ogwel, Donald Rukare and Minister Obua

Uganda’s team to the Olympics has 26 members but athletics has contributed the biggest number, with 19.

Among these is 2012 marathon Olympics gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich who is targeting victory at his third appearance and advises colleagues against stage fright.

2012 London Olympic gold medalists Kiprotich also gave a message of encouragement: “I know a majority of you its your first time to go to Olympics.

“From my experience it is scary and the stage is different but you’ve to know that we are all champions. That how I kept pushing my self in 2012.”

The Athletes

Uganda’s cast at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is a 26-man team that includes Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, Winnie Nanyondo and Halima Nakayi among others.

The first batch left the country a few weeks ago while the next departs 13 July 2021.

Uganda has since its first appearance at the Olympics in 1956 won seven medals; four of which are from boxing and the rest track and field.

The winning boxers are John Beast Mugabi, Eridadi Mukwanga and double medalist Leo Rwabogo.

From track and field, its Davis Kamoga, John Akii Bua and Stephen Kiprotich with the latter two, the only gold medalists.

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