Sports
Cheptegei urges govt to increase sports budget
“Athletics is not given enough funds and yet we do our best to bring the results back. I see this as a hiccup because Team Uganda could only manage one medal,” Cheptegei stated.
Joshua Cheptegei (right) returned the national flag to Uganda Athletics leadership following his bronze-medal performance, which helped Uganda finish fifth in the team standings among the 19 countries that fielded full teams. (AFP photo)
By: Faith Kiai, Journalist @New Vision
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World Road Running bronze medallist Joshua Cheptegei has urged the government to increase funding to sports federations after helping Uganda secure a bronze medal at the World Road Running Championships in Denmark.
Cheptegei returned the national flag to Uganda Athletics leadership following his bronze-medal performance, which helped Uganda finish fifth in the team standings among the 19 countries that fielded full teams.
The men’s 10,000m and 5,000m world-record holder had not represented Uganda since 2024, making his return to the national team and the bronze medal particularly significant.
The reigning Olympic champion called for increased government funding to sports federations if Uganda is to continue securing medals at major international events.
“Athletics is not given enough funds and yet we do our best to bring the results back. I see this as a hiccup because Team Uganda could only manage one medal,” he stated.
The reigning Olympic champion called for increased government funding to sports federations if Uganda is to continue securing medals at major international events.
“Athletics is not given enough funds and yet we do our best to bring the results back. I see this as a hiccup because Team Uganda could only manage one medal,” he stated.
As captain of Team Uganda, Cheptegei commended his teammates for their performances but said he believed the team could have done better had it spent at least six weeks in a training camp, although each athlete was provided with a training allowance.
He revealed that he had been in danger of missing the event after rolling his ankle during training, but was able to compete despite the injury because he was the team captain.
Cheptegei put in a strong performance and was the only Ugandan to win a medal at the championships.
“I’ve always competed for Uganda for the last 10 years, but last year it was a personal choice not to be in the national colours. I saw it was fine to get out of the national colours and fight for myself,” stated Cheptegei.
He revealed that he had been in danger of missing the event after rolling his ankle during training, but was able to compete despite the injury because he was the team captain.
Cheptegei put in a strong performance and was the only Ugandan to win a medal at the championships.
“I’ve always competed for Uganda for the last 10 years, but last year it was a personal choice not to be in the national colours. I saw it was fine to get out of the national colours and fight for myself,” stated Cheptegei.