Central Region Athletics Championship spotlights emerging talent
With participation dominated by upcoming athletes, the championship underscored the deep tank of potential waiting to be nurtured in the central region.
Some of the athletes that took part in the previous Central Region Athletics Championships
By Olivia Nakate
Journalists @New Vision
The Central Region Athletics Championship held on Saturday, June 28 at Namboole Stadium turned into a vibrant showcase of budding athletic talent, serving not only as a competitive platform but also as a critical talent search event in Uganda’s athletics calendar.
With participation dominated by upcoming athletes, the championship underscored the deep tank of potential waiting to be nurtured in the central region.
Athletes from institutions such as Uganda Prisons, Uganda Police, and Uganda Christian University (UCU) emerged as standout performers of the day. Their strong showing reflected the depth of talent that can be harnessed to replace or support established names, particularly in sprint and middle-distance events.
This could be a strategic advantage for Uganda, especially as seasoned athletes begin transitioning to longer-distance competitions.
The one-day event featured a range of competitions including sprints, middle-distance races, and field events.
According to athletics coach Nalis Bigingo, the results from these races were encouraging.
“Today we took part in sprints, middle-distance, and field events. All athletes gave their best. When you look at the times posted by these athletes, you can confirm that the central region can still produce top-tier sprinters and middle-distance runners,” Bigingo stated.
Among the most exciting spectacles of the day were the relays, known for igniting club rivalries and crowd enthusiasm. The men's 4x400m relay was particularly thrilling, with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) clinching victory in 3:15 minutes.
Uganda Prisons followed with 3:19 minutes, Uganda Police came third at 3:23minutes, and Tororo Athletics Club finished fourth at 3:32 minutes.
In the women’s 4x100m relay, Uganda Prisons delivered an impressive win with a time of 47.71 seconds, ahead of UWA who clocked 49.68 seconds to take second place.
The event also brought to light the challenges many upcoming athletes face. Some participants used the platform to urge the Uganda Athletics to provide follow-up support for promising talents discovered at regional competitions.
“Many athletes have talent but they are financially drained. If the federation can support financially promising athletes, it can boost their performance. We don’t ask for much—just help during training,” one athlete shared.
The championship left a clear message: the central region remains a fertile ground for athletics talent, especially in sprints and middle distances. With proper investment and follow-up from national athletics authorities, these emerging athletes could become Uganda’s next generation of stars.