UGANDA | ATHLETES | DENIED VISAS

Team, Uganda's quest for medals glory at the upcoming 2023 World Cross Country Championships has been dealt a huge blow after three key members failed to secure visas to travel to Australia.

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

Team Uganda flew out of the country Monday night without junior runners Allan Kibet, Silas Rotich, and Feb Chelogoi, who were denied visas.

Coaches Francis Demayi and Benjamin Njia are leading the Ugandan contingent.

'Blow for us'

Njia feels the absence of the three athletes is "very frustrating", saying they "are key for me and to us all as a country".

Even if they were to get last-minute visas, it would be improbable to have them race in the one-day event.

"We were told that they would not be traveling and even if they come tonight, I will not race them because they would be too tired to compete against rested competitors across the world and this is a blow for us."

It had been hoped that the three young athletes would secure their visas before Wednesday. However, none of them has been cleared.

Uganda's initially six-strong junior men sub-team has now been reduced to three runners: Dan Kibet, who recently won the Discovery Uganda championship, Hosea Chemutai and Kenneth Kiprop.

“The only option for the three boys [who traveled to Australia] to go all out for individual medals in the best way they can,” said Njia, who voiced his frustration.

"They have been training as a group and planning together on their tactics, techniques, and game plans, but all that goes under the carpet now.”

Despite the setback, the seasoned tactician is convinced the remaining group of athletes has what it takes to rise to the occasion.

Now reduced to 25 members, Team Uganda is captained by Joshua Cheptegei, who won senior men's gold at the last edition in Aarhus in Denmark.

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 of wins in this championships.

Hosea Chemutai will now lead the reduced junior team of three.

Coaches Njia, Demayi, and Quito Oding will steer the Ugandan team in Bathurst.

After the opening ceremony, the competition will start with the mixed relay (8km), followed by the junior women's (6km) and men's (8km) races.

The senior women's and men's races (10km) will follow and finally the medal ceremonies.

Uganda's senior men's 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

Dan Kibet

Hosea Chemutai

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