Uganda team in Oregon for a medal hunt

By Norman Katende

IAAF World Juniors

Tuesday

Men 1000m final

Wednesday

Women 5000m final

Thursday

Women 3000m final

Friday

Men 5000m final

National coach Nalis Bigingo believes that Team Uganda is in a good psychological shape to end a four-year absence from the podium at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA starting Wednesday.

Bigingo traveled with the team which is being dressed by Italian international kit manufacturer Errea to the biennial competition, which has been the foundation for future athletes at the international level.

After a more than 20-hour journey via Dubai, the team arrived in Oregon Saturday evening. They immediately embarked on recovery and fatigue breakdown exercises with the aim of ensuring they are in fine shape for the third biggest competition on the IAAF calender.

Joshua Cheptegei (215) at the world University Cross Country championships in Entebbe

Uganda has entered a team of three boys and a girl, all of them in the longer distances, where they are expected to mount a serious medal challenge.

Cheptegei and Mande

Joshua Cheptegei will lead Uganda’s bid for a medal as he runs with Abdalah Mande in the 10000m on the opening day with Philip Kipyeko also running in the 5000m event on Friday. He will be joined by one of the two as each country is expected to enter a maximum of two runners per event.

Stella Chesang, the only girl on the team, will compete in the 3000m and 5000m events, with her favourite being 5000m.

Winnie Nanyondo was Uganda’s top performer in the last edition in Barcelona, where she made it to the final of the 800m.