World Cross Country: Australia to arrive first

PIC: Some of Team Uganda athletes in camp in Kapchorwa

Australia will be the first foreign team to arrive in Uganda for the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country.

The Asia Pacific team jets in on Monday for the March 26 competition with a team of 22 athletes.

A total of 66 nations have confirmed participation in the biennial competition at the National Ceremonial Grounds.

Local organizing committee secretary Beatrice Ayikoru said arrivals will be throughout the week.

Uganda has attracted the biggest number of World Cross Country entries since 2006.

The biggest number of nations to have featured in the world meet is 76. This was in 2000 in the Portuguese city of Villamoura.

A total of 805 athletes competed that year. This was another record.

The smallest entry is 21 countries. This was in the inaugural edition in 1973 and 1976 in Waregem, Belgium and Chepstow, UK respectively.

The last edition in Guiyang, China in 2015 attracted 51 countries while the previous one in Poland had 41 nations.

Ayikoru said the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, Transport, Health together with the Education and Sport are working jointly to ensure the visiting teams get all necessary services.

Athletes will be staying at Africana and Imperial Royale hotels. Metropole Hotel will be the media base.

Local organizing committee competition director Faustino Kiwa said visiting teams will be free to use the Kololo course.

Uganda's team is expected later in the week from Kapchorwa where they have been camping since last month.

UGANDA'S WORLD CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

Senior men

Joshua Cheptegei, Phillip Kiyeko, Abdallah Mande, Timothy Toroitich, Stephen Kiprotich and Stephen Kissa. Reserves- Fred Musobo and Mande Busiendich

Senior women

Mercyline Chelangat, Stella Chesang, Doreen Chesang and Rachael Sena Chebet. Reserve- Annet Chebet

U-20 men

Jacob Kiplimo, Titus Kwemoi Given, Victor Kiplagat, Elisha Chemutai, Kevin Kibet, Mathew Chelrui Job

Reserves

Anthony Ayeko and Abel Chebet

U-20 women

Peruth Chemutai, Janat Chemusto, Esther Chekwemoi, Sarah Chelangat, Scarlet Chemos, Adha Munguleya

Mixed relays

Wnnie Nanyondo, Dorcus Ajok, Ronald Musagala and Ruto Geoffrey Kipkorir. Reserves- Abu Mayanja and Esther Chebet

Team officials

Benjamin Longiross (Head Coach), Francis  Demayi  (Assistant Head Coach), Benjamin Njia (Assistant Coach), Grace Chesang (Coach) and  Peter Chelangat (Team Manager)