"This is our time, go and seize the moment."

That was what sports state minister Peter Ogwang said on Tuesday as he flagged off Team Uganda athletes heading to Australia for the 2023 World Cross Country Championships.

The event will take place in Bathurst, New South Wales this Saturday (February 18).

“I know all the other countries have their best teams traveling for this event and are determined to win it, but I can assure that no-one is better prepared than our athletes,” said Ogwang.

“I am committed to ensuring that all the resources required for you to perform at the highest level possible are availed to you on time without fail," he told the team of 28, urging them to "go make our country shine again".

Ogwang and Cheptegei are close friends

The Australia-bound team will hope to better previous outings as they depart from Trinity Biblical Institute in Kapchorwa, which is acting as the national training camp.

Joshua Cheptegei, who won senior men gold at the last edition in Aarhus in Denmark, is the Team Uganda captain.

Jacob Kiplimo, who took silver behind Cheptegei in 2019, and 2018 Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medallist Stella Chesang are also part of the departing team.

Uganda’s main challengers will likely be Kenya and Ethiopia, who have a combined record wins in this championships.

Seasoned coaches Benjamin Njia, Francis Demayi and Quito Oding will steer the Ugandan team in Bathurst.

After the opening ceremony, the competition will start with the mixed relay, followed by the junior women's and men's races.

The senior women's and men's races will follow and finally the medal ceremonies.

Medals will be awarded to the winners of the mixed relay (8km), the Under-20 women’s race (6km), Under-20 men’s race (8km), and the aforementioned senior races (both 10km).

Uganda's senior men team

Joshua Cheptegei Kiprui

Jacob Kiplimo

Martin Kiprotich Magengo

Rogers Kibet

Isaac Kibet

Samuel Kibet

 Senior women team

Stella Chesang

Prisca Chesang

Doreen Chesang

Annet Chelangat Chemigech

Rispa Cherop

Mercyline Chelangat

Junior men team

Kenneth Kiprop

Hosea Chemutai

Dan Kibet

Allan Kibet

Feb Chelogoi

Silas Rotich

Junior women team

Peace Chebet

Bentalin Yeko

Charity Cherop

Felister Chekwemoi

Risper Cherop

Relay team

Abu Salim Mayanja

Ronald Musagala

Linda Chebet

Knight Aciro

Team officials

Benjamin Njia

Francis Demayi

Quito Oding