UAAF in massive funds drive

By Norman Katende and William MuwongeUGANDA Amateur Athletics Federation (UAAF) is looking for sh40m to facilitate the World cross-country championship team. The meet is slated for March 23-24 in Dublin, Ireland.UAAF treasurer, Godfrey Nuwagaba, said yesterday that the money is to help meet the costs for preparations and travel for two teams and three officials.The teams will be selected after Sunday’s meet at Kyambogo. For the past two years, Salim Saleh, under the Divinity Union, has been sponsoring the teams to the championship. The junior men won bronze medals in 2000. “He (Saleh) is currently out of the country but we are trying to contact him. We are also in touch with other potential sponsors,” said Nuwagaba yesterday.“If the funds are not available, then we will have to take the junior boys’ team only,” he said.UAAF assistant general secretary Beatrice Ayikoru said that Uganda will be able to beat the March 11 entry deadline.r LOCAL athletes’ efforts to qualify for the forthcoming international events are now on hold after postponement of the Kampala under-18 track and field meet. The Kampala District Amateur Athletics Association (KDAAA) event was due to be held at Kyambogo on Saturday. The organisers called off the event because of lack of funds to mark the field.A KDAAA official Nalis Bigingo said a new date will be fixed.“The event will certainly be held at a future date,” the former national star told The New Vision. ends