Moses Kipsiro out of All Africa games
Aug 29, 2011
BARELY four days after pulling out of the World Athletics Championships, Moses Kipsiro has now also withdrawn from the All Africa Games.
By James Bakama
BARELY four days after pulling out of the World Athletics Championships, Moses Kipsiro has now also withdrawn from the All Africa Games.
“I am physically and mentally not fit for the All Africa Games,†Kipsiro said.
Kipsiro, who on Friday attributed the decision to threats on his life, has further revealed that there is a clan determined to endanger his life.
“They are using all means including juju (witchcraft) to finish me off,†the runner said in a shaky voice on phone from Bukwo.
The double Commonwealth Games gold medalist’s career has lately been dogged by poor health. He has continually had malaria and typhoid treatment in Kapchorwa and neighboring Kenya.
He now believes there could be other “forces†behind his slow recovery. “These people strongly believe in juju. You can never be sure what they are up to.â€
He however didn’t identify the clan but said the group is not happy with his rise to fame. Kipsiro says that his foes have also launched a smear campaign to taint his name.
“They started off by saying I was keeping armed thugs in my home. They are now telling everyone that I am finished and that I can no longer win more medals.â€
He has accordingly raised the issue with the District Internal Security Officer.
The DISO Robert Muhwezi confirmed he was aware of the case. “It is true. I have heard that there are people threatening his life. But I called representatives of both clans in my office and talked over the matter. It should be settled,†promised Muhwezi.
This is the third major event that Kipsiro is pulling out from. He didn’t participate in the National Championship last month.
Uganda Athletics Federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru was surprised by the stories emerging from Bukwo. “I talked to him recently but he didn’t indicate that he had such troubles.â€
Uganda Olympic Committee boss Rogers Ddungu noted that Kipsiro’s withdrawal would be a big blow to Uganda’s medal hunt at the forthcoming games in Maputo. “
Kipsiro was due to defend the gold medal he won at the last All Africa games in Algeria.
BARELY four days after pulling out of the World Athletics Championships, Moses Kipsiro has now also withdrawn from the All Africa Games.
“I am physically and mentally not fit for the All Africa Games,†Kipsiro said.
Kipsiro, who on Friday attributed the decision to threats on his life, has further revealed that there is a clan determined to endanger his life.
“They are using all means including juju (witchcraft) to finish me off,†the runner said in a shaky voice on phone from Bukwo.
The double Commonwealth Games gold medalist’s career has lately been dogged by poor health. He has continually had malaria and typhoid treatment in Kapchorwa and neighboring Kenya.
He now believes there could be other “forces†behind his slow recovery. “These people strongly believe in juju. You can never be sure what they are up to.â€
He however didn’t identify the clan but said the group is not happy with his rise to fame. Kipsiro says that his foes have also launched a smear campaign to taint his name.
“They started off by saying I was keeping armed thugs in my home. They are now telling everyone that I am finished and that I can no longer win more medals.â€
He has accordingly raised the issue with the District Internal Security Officer.
The DISO Robert Muhwezi confirmed he was aware of the case. “It is true. I have heard that there are people threatening his life. But I called representatives of both clans in my office and talked over the matter. It should be settled,†promised Muhwezi.
This is the third major event that Kipsiro is pulling out from. He didn’t participate in the National Championship last month.
Uganda Athletics Federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru was surprised by the stories emerging from Bukwo. “I talked to him recently but he didn’t indicate that he had such troubles.â€
Uganda Olympic Committee boss Rogers Ddungu noted that Kipsiro’s withdrawal would be a big blow to Uganda’s medal hunt at the forthcoming games in Maputo. “
Kipsiro was due to defend the gold medal he won at the last All Africa games in Algeria.