World Athletics Relays: Coach Asonya vows another record in Gaborone
For Asonya, the moment carries special meaning. A former relay athlete himself, he now stands at the helm of a squad competing in an event that once defined his own career.
FROM L-R: Asonya, Maureen Banura, Shida Leni and Kenneth Okumu
Uganda’s relay ambitions are gathering momentum as athletics coach Moses Asonya leads his team to the global stage at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, this weekend.
For Asonya, the moment carries special meaning. A former relay athlete himself, he now stands at the helm of a squad competing in an event that once defined his own career.
After two weeks of intensive preparation, Asonya’s confidence in his athletes is unmistakable. The team has sharpened baton exchanges, improved speed endurance, and built strong chemistry key ingredients for success in relay racing.
“We have trained well, and I believe we shall make a big statement,” Asonya said. “Last year we broke the national record in the relays, and I believe we can do it again.”
Uganda will be represented by four athletes in the 4x400m mixed relay ( Haron Adoli, Shida Leni, Omuka Kenneth and Maureen Banura), a discipline that demands both speed and seamless teamwork. According to Asonya, the selection process focused on identifying the country’s best sprinters, athletes capable of rising to the occasion on the world stage.
“We selected the best sprinting athletes we have, and they will do better,” he added with conviction.
The team’s confidence is rooted in their performance at the 2025 edition in Guangzhou, China. Under Asonya’s guidance, Uganda finished fifth in heat one and set a national record of 3:16.59 minutes a milestone that marked significant progress in the country’s relay history.
Asonya believes that performance laid a solid foundation for the current squad, providing both experience and belief.
Last year South Africa topped the medal table with three medals two gold and one bronze followed by USA with three medals one gold and two silver and Spain came third with two medals one gold and silver. Hosts Botswana finished 9th with one bronze medal.
Weather conditions
Currently the weather in Botswana is chilly in morning and hot in the afternoon but likely to change in coming days. Between May and August Botswana expediences winter meaning by the time of the championship that starts on Sunday and Sunday, If winter happens the weather may not be favorable to Ugandan athletes.