Uganda Athletics breaks silence on poor Commonwealth Games performance
At a media briefing in Kampala, federation president Dominic Otucet attributed the below-par performance to poor handling of the team and weather conditions.
Uganda Athletics president Dominic Otucet (right) shakes hands with JKA Media Agency CEO Joe Kigozi (second left) after signing a Memorandum of Understanding at the federation offices in Kampala. Photo: Johnson Were
Uganda Athletics has broken the silence on the team's poor performance at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
At the Games, Peruth Chemutai was the only athlete who won a medal, claiming bronze in the 3000m steeplechase. The rest ran their personal best times, which has not been the case in previous outings.
At a media briefing in Kampala, federation president Dominic Otucet attributed the below-par performance to poor handling of the team and weather conditions.
A seemingly unhappy president noted that besides the cold weather, which was not favourable for the athletes, the fatigue from traveling by bus from London Heathrow Airport to the venue also affected them.
"We are a golden sport, and as athletics, we value our athletes. This could not have happened. Unfortunately, I came to learn of it when the team was already on the bus," Otucet said.
He contended that there was no way the team would put up an expected performance after traveling for over six hours by road to the venue.
"It was a mistake and will not happen again," he added before unveiling a partnership with JKA Media Agency.
The distance from London Heathrow Airport to the venue is close to 655km.
He assured the public that the federation has plans for future athletes who will fill the gap left by Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.
Regarding the partnership, JKA Media Agency will market the sport and source sponsorship to fill the sh7bn gap left by the government.
Uganda Athletics earlier this year passed a sh10bn budget, but the government has only committed sh3bn, leaving the leadership to look for a sh7bn deficit.
The partnership will see the media firm market the sport using the available brand of athletes to attract more resources to the sport.
"Three years is good for us to understand the culture of Uganda Athletics. There are so many corporate brands that need to be associated with athletics. Our role is to talk to them and bring money to the sport," JKA CEO Joe Kigozi said.
The partnership was witnessed by National Council of Sports assistant secretary Milton Chebet.