Omanyala leads Kenyan dominance at third national trials in Namboole
Omanyala competed in his signature 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay, winning his heat and guiding Team Kenya A to victory in the relay.
Ferdinand Omanyala in action. PHOTOS: Johnson Were
By Faith Kiai
Journalists @New Vision
The Third National Trials at Namboole were dominated by Kenyan athletes, with African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala leading the charge.
Omanyala competed in his signature 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay, winning his heat in a time of 10 seconds 0.9 microseconds and guiding Team Kenya A to victory in the relay.
“I came to Uganda because we want to elevate sprinting here, and I’m reconnecting with my past,” said Omanyala, who last raced in Uganda in 2017 during his early career. “It feels great to return to a place where people support me.”
This marks Omanyala’s second win this year, but the sprinter—who has a major season ahead—views it as just the beginning.
“My legacy won’t be defined by medals, but by the lives I impact,” he stated. “Of course, the World Championships are coming, but I won’t just chase medals—I trust God’s plan. I want my legacy to be different.”
Beyond the track, Omanyala is in Uganda for broader initiatives through his Omanyala Foundation, aiming to elevate East African sprinting.
“I’m committed to developing East African talent—but I’ll only work with the best,” he emphasized. “It’s not just about speed; discipline and education matter. As someone who values learning, I won’t tolerate athletes who dismiss academics.”
Meanwhile, Uganda’s relay team finished third, highlighting the need for improvement ahead of the next trials on April 12.
