Ugandan team to Manchester ready

By Norman KatendeUGANDA’s team to the Commonwealth Games is set to depart next Friday.According to Salim Musoke, the preparatory committee chairman, the team of 13 officials and 21 athletes will head for Manchester in two different batches.“Other athletes are expected to travel from the countries they are training from (to Manchester). What we are trying to do now is working on which of the remaining athletes will be travelling out on the two flights,” said Uganda Olympic’s Musoke.The track and field discipline, which has eight athletes has one official, Okot Omwony, The team that has seven female athletes will for the first time be travelling without a chaperon.Sports state minister’s personal secretary Margaret Ojala will be the only female official travelling with the team. She is travelling under a newly created role of delegation administrator.NCS general secretary Abbey Lutaya has criticised the composition of the team which he says is ill prepared and should be reduced. He further complained that NCS funds were being diverted from development.At the last games in Malaysia, Uganda returned with a single medal, from boxer Jackson Asiku The Ugandan teamOfficialsHenry Okello Oryem (Head of Delegation), Gabriel Oloka (Chief De Mission), John Odyek (general team manager), Margaret Ojala (administrator), James Ssekajugo (team doctor), Andrew Luwandaga (Press attaché)Athletics: Paul Wakou, Annet Kabasindi, Alex Malinga, Julius Acon, Pascal Owor, Grace Birungi, Bonifance Kiprop and Dorcus Inzikuru. Okot Omwony (manager/coach)Boxing: Muhammed Kayongo, Dennis Mwanje, Joseph Lubega and Martin Mubiru. Vicky Byarugaba (manager) and Dick Katende (coach).Weightlifting: Harriet Namusoke, Salim Balinya and Rashid Lubega. Salim Musoke (technical official) and Ali Kavuma (coach).Swimming: Aya Nakitanda and Joel Kisule. Jerry Dralega (coach)Table Tennis: Paul Mutambuze, Diana Namisango, Monica Kasakye and Andrew Gita Jerry Dralega (coach).