After an incredibly successful and historical 2021, Ugandan athletes and officials have another chance to demonstrate consistency at the many tournaments being held over the next 12 months.

Fans will hope for an even much better medal haul and records from Team Uganda, one more time this year.

To achieve this target, a couple of athletes told Vision Sport how they are training hard and expecting exciting times ahead.

Luckily enough, some of them have started the season in Europe’s privately organised athletics events which their Management Agencies register them to participate in.

One such Management Agency is Global Sport managed by Dutch veteran coach Addy Ruiter.

They have been able to take a couple of their athletes abroad to test their paces, endurances, and strengths in competitive events.

“Most of them are in good shape and will be able to qualify for the upcoming events this year. We cannot wait to see them compete,” Ruiter said.

Ruiter is a personal coach of Olympics gold medalists Joshua Cheptegei, 25, Peruth Chemutai 22, and former World Champion Stephen Kiprotich among others.

He is looking forward to a superb performance from his group of senior and junior athletes.

Uganda Police Athletics Coach, Benjamin Njia, expects extraordinary breakthroughs from the budding runners and more staunch recording-breaking performances for the seniors.

At the national level; Tororo district awaits for next month’s Cross Country Championship as Prison’s Belinda Chemutai telecasts.

“We are training quite well. The group is in good shape and everyone is focused on the Cross Country Championship in February,” Chemutai said.

“At a personal level, I want to use this year to step up and rise above,” she vowed.

Athletics Fixture 2022 (Selected Events)

12 Feb: National Cross Country Championships –Tororo

18 Feb: EAC Cross Country Championships –Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

27 Feb: Source of the Nile Marathon –Jinja

1 March: 1st National Trials – Kampala

11-13 March: World University Cross Country Championships, Portugal

19 March: 2nd National Trial –Kampala

04-05 March: World Athletics Walking Team Championship –Muscat Oman

18-20 March: World Athletics Indoor Championships-Belgrade, Serbia

2 April: 3rd National Trial –Kampala

16 April: 4th National Trial –Kampala

30 April: 5th National Trial –Kampala

14 May: 6th National Trials –Kampala

15-24 July: World Athletics Championships –Eugene, Oregon USA

28 July– 8 August: Commonwealth Games 2020 –Birmingham, England

01-06 August: World Athletics U20 Championships –Cali, Colombia

13-Nov: World Athletics Half Marathon Championships –Yangshou, China

Qualifications                                                                                 
Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) has embarked on screening those who will be deemed fit to represent the country at international events.

UAF President Domic Otuchet confirmed progress which has now culminated in long lists of various categories.

“The long listing is already going for the candidates who will participate in the Commonwealth Games 2022 and those who will travel to Eugene, Oregon in the USA,” Otuchet stated.

To be selected, one must qualify and the basis for that is a commitment to training and good performances during prerequisite events.

“Qualifications in entirety depend on hard work and discipline,” Otuchet, who anticipates a heck of more improved acts, assured.

Sarah Chelangat of the National Council of Sports urges athletes not to put themselves under unnecessary pressure but rather enjoy their preparations ahead of events.

2022 Stars To Watch                                                                                                          
While the possibility of winning a medal in athletics is wholly an uphill task to predict, there are still a couple of stars to put your money on, this year.

Below are some of the many talented athletes who could produce nail-biting performances.

Joshua Cheptegei: He is the greatest athlete of all time for Uganda. The 25-year-old is still truly the man to watch this year yet again. After glorious performances in 2021 which resulted in a couple of medalists and world records, Cheptegei is dedicated to his training program.

Peruth Chemutai: The first lady ever to win an Olympics gold medal for Uganda is back training after a long injury layoff and she is looking sharp again in training.

She expects to perform in both Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships which are just less than a week apart.

Jacob Kiplimo: The 22-year-old World Half Marathon record holder and reigning champion is indeed one of the undoubted favorites to watch in Eugene’s World Championships.

Sarah Chelangat: 2018 Olympics double youth gold winner and the reigning champion of Kampala Half Marathon 2021, probably trains the most. Since she recovered from an injury that kept her out of the Olympics Games 2020 in Tokyo, Chelangat has dived deep into her training program.

Belinda Chemutai: The Prison’s runner is an incredible upcoming athlete who has stepped up to the plate in the training ground and is eyeing glory in 2022.

Stephen Kiprotich: Who said the legend is done and dusted? Well, think again. The former world champion and Commonwealth golden boy is committed to going from strength to strength this year.

Prisca Chesang: Highly considered as the staunch future of athletics in the women category, the teenage middle-distance star wants to leave a mark in the incoming events.

Felix Chemonges: The national full marathon record holder is promising to deliver his best internationally.

Albert Chemutai: Albert Chemutai is currently the most impressive steeplechase runner in the men's category and is optimistic ahead of the season.

Annet Chelangat: The Arua athletics club star is the National Mountain Race Championships reigning champion and looks in good shape every day in training. The skillful Chelangat left her rivals for dust when she won the 2021 Mountain Race and one would hope that she maintains her brilliance.