Althetes' departure to New Delhi delayed

Sep 27, 2010

KENYA has at last confirmed Nyayo stadium as the host for the second Group J Africa Cup Nations qualifier against Uganda on October 9. The confirmation follows a protest by soccer governing body FUFA to the continental body CAF.

By Norman Katende

THE final batch of athletes that was to leave tomorrow for the Commonwealth Games will stay their departure because of the delay in processing air-tickets from government. The Games open on Saturday.

Government was supposed to buy 34 tickets for the athletes and general officials, to compliment the 76 that were given by the New Delhi organising committee for the games.

The beneficiaries from the government and organising committee tickets were expected to travel together in batches of four but by yesterday, only two delegations- all travelling on organising committee tickets had left.

“We are waiting for a word from them (government). We were told that they are still waiting for another signature but we believe that they will travel with the last batch of players,” explained Abbey Mubiru, the general team manager of Team Uganda.

Among the sports disciplines expected to benefit from the tickets is swimming, athletics and selected athletes from other disciplines.

Uganda’s contingent has 102 people and will compete in 10 sports disciplines in New Delhi.

The batch that left yesterday had squash, table tennis and tennis players. They will be joined by the weightlifters today and then rugby players on Wednesday.

Efforts to contact sports commissioner, Dan Tamwesigire who was following up the matter and is to travel as a government representative, were futile as he was in a meeting.

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