Uganda ventures into sprint races
Dec 11, 2006
UGANDA Athletics Federation (UAF) has shifted its development plan to the sprinting field.
By Norman Katende
UGANDA Athletics Federation (UAF) has shifted its development plan to the sprinting field.
UAF president Dan Tamwesigire made the revelation over the weekend. He said that with the acquisition of an electronic timer this season, Uganda was bound to improve in sprint races.
He said: “Our next project is to work for the sprinters. It is the lack of an electronic timer which has made us slow.â€
“But now, I want to announce that Uganda will have an electronic machine this season. We have already paid $10,000 (sh18m) as part payment for the timer under a hire purchase deal.â€
The machine costs $30,000 (sh54m).
“If the equipment arrives in Uganda, then there is nothing that will deny us the chance to have sprinters. We will no longer need them to travel out to qualify for international events,†said Tamwesigire.
He said that within the next few years, Uganda will have world famous sprinters. Uganda boasts of world-beaters at long distance level like Dorcus Inzikuru, Boniface Kiprop, Alex Malinga and Wilson Busienei.
“That is how we started in the long distance. We will also take the same route with the sprints.â€
He said that they were looking at corporate sponsors for help to raise the balance of $20,000 (sh36m) to fully pay for the machine.
A complete electronic machine has a timer, starter gun, photo finish camera, computer, false start and wind gauge — all requirements before the sprint times are recognised.
Calls for an electronic timer became louder after the 100m final controversy at the national open. There was dispute over who had crossed the line first between Yossam Kassango and Stephen Odwar.
UGANDA Athletics Federation (UAF) has shifted its development plan to the sprinting field.
UAF president Dan Tamwesigire made the revelation over the weekend. He said that with the acquisition of an electronic timer this season, Uganda was bound to improve in sprint races.
He said: “Our next project is to work for the sprinters. It is the lack of an electronic timer which has made us slow.â€
“But now, I want to announce that Uganda will have an electronic machine this season. We have already paid $10,000 (sh18m) as part payment for the timer under a hire purchase deal.â€
The machine costs $30,000 (sh54m).
“If the equipment arrives in Uganda, then there is nothing that will deny us the chance to have sprinters. We will no longer need them to travel out to qualify for international events,†said Tamwesigire.
He said that within the next few years, Uganda will have world famous sprinters. Uganda boasts of world-beaters at long distance level like Dorcus Inzikuru, Boniface Kiprop, Alex Malinga and Wilson Busienei.
“That is how we started in the long distance. We will also take the same route with the sprints.â€
He said that they were looking at corporate sponsors for help to raise the balance of $20,000 (sh36m) to fully pay for the machine.
A complete electronic machine has a timer, starter gun, photo finish camera, computer, false start and wind gauge — all requirements before the sprint times are recognised.
Calls for an electronic timer became louder after the 100m final controversy at the national open. There was dispute over who had crossed the line first between Yossam Kassango and Stephen Odwar.