Kipsiro, Nanyondo seek continental glory

By Norman Katende

After Moses Kipsiro and Winnie Nanyondo winning the Commonwealth games 1000m gold and 800m bronze medals respectively, they will be turning their focus on the Africa crown, while at the same time trying to qualify for the Inter-continental Cup.

The duo is part of the seven athlete team that has been selected to represent the country at the Africa Senior Athletics Championships due in Marrakech, Morocco starting next week.

Kipsiro, a 5000m silver medallist and 10000m champion in 2006 was added to the national team after he accepted that he could give the Africa Senior championships title a shot.

The team is expected in Marrakech on Friday and will have a two-day rest ahead of the competition. Beatrice Ayikoru is the Team Manager.

With the backing up of Elgon Athletics Club team mate Thomas Ayeko and Police’s Joshua Cheptegei - who has just won a 10000m gold at the World Junior Championships - the trio will be making Uganda’s team in both the 5000m and 10000m.

Their instructions will be simple; to fight and deny their rivals Ethiopia and Kenya a podium finish so that they qualify for the Inter Continental Cup which will be hosted at the same venue next month.

Maureen Banura, who was supposed to make it to the Commonwealth Games boosting the women relay team but was left out because she had not done biometrics, will be given a chance to try her luck in the 200m and 400m.

Dennis Opio will also be competing in the 400m with Javelin thrower Lucy Aber being the only women fielder.

Two times Triple Jump champion Sarah Nambawa was not on the team because she has had a silent season.