By Norman Katende

UGANDA’s preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games in London start next month with different federations looking to the Commonwealth Youth Games to gauge their athletes.

The games, due October 12-18 in India, are exclusively for athletes under 18 and who are expected to be ready to take on the world’s best in London.

According to Uganda Olympic Committee treasurer Salim Musoke, a team will compete in athletics, boxing, table tennis and weightlifting in the India games.

“The different federations have selected their best talents for the games,” Musoke explained in an interview yesterday.

Musoke said that the best performers in India could get Olympic Solidarity scholarships for the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games.

The India-bound team includes athletes Moses Kibet, Doreen Chesang, Ramadhan Akula, Alex Cherop, Dickson Huru and Juliet Chekwel.

Table tennis players are Eddie Omongole, Zura Kauka and Amina Namaganda.

The weightlifters are Milly Kaitesi, Roger Mukwenda and Charles Ssekyaaya.