Longiros wary of Japan threat

By James Bakama

Saturday: 11am

On-site opening ceremonies at Entebbe Golf Course

12pm: World University Cross-country starts

JAPAN is one of the teams Uganda will be seriously watching in the hosts’ quest for its maiden medals at the World University Cross-country Championship on Saturday.

The Asian state boasts of a rich history in the biennial competition.

At the 2010 edition in Ontario, Canada, Japan’s Tetsuiya Yoroizaka won the men’s gold.

Japan was back at the last edition in Poland winning silver and bronze behind Algerian gold medallist Abdelmadjed Touil.

Japan has also won the men’s team event in the last two editions. They also won the women’s team gold in Poland.

“Japanese runners are very good. They have lots of stamina and determination. They rank highly in the opponents we shall be seriously watching,” said Uganda coach Benjamin Longiros.

Longiros has commended Ndejje University for offering the team what he described as a very good training environment.

“Ndejje has very good training facilities in a quiet environment where athletes can concentrate,” explained Longiros, who by yesterday had began slowing down the training.

Team captain Benjamin Njia was upbeat.

“Besides being well prepared, we shall be advantaged by the fact that we shall be running on a familiar Entebbe course.

Almost the entire Ugandan team featured in the Africa University cross-country championship recently.

Sri Lanka became the first country to arrive for the championship on Tuesday. They were followed by Ghana. 

A total of 23 countries confirmed participation. Africa, represented by 12 countries will for the first time in the competition’s history, have the biggest representation.

Teams will today be accredited before going for a practice round at the Entebbe cricket grounds.

Tomorrow’s programme includes practice sessions plus CISCA and technical committee meetings.

Saturday’s schedule will start with a race for children under 14 years at 10am. This will be followed an hour later by on-site opening ceremonies before the women’s championship race at mid-day.

The men’s race is scheduled for 2.45pm. 

A championship banquet at the cricket terrace will be the day’s last event.

Teams start departing the following day.

The event will be held in Uganda for the first time.