Athletes target Commonwealth games

Feb 02, 2018

World Cross Country junior champion Jacob Kiplimo faces stiff competition in the 5000 metres against Mande Abdallah.

A number of battles are expected as athletes continue chasing Commonwealth Games qualification at the fourth UAF trial at Namboole tomorrow.

World Cross Country junior champion Jacob Kiplimo faces stiff competition in the 5000 metres against Mande Abdallah.

It will be the same story in the women's 12.5 lap race between Mercyline Chelangat, Bena Chebet and Stella Chesang.

All efforts are currently on qualifying for the 21st games in Gold Coast, Australia.

These games are a multi-sport event that will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia between April 4 and 15 April.

This weekend's menu includes the middle distance contests between 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth bronze medalist Winnie Nanyondo, Halima Nakaayi and Dorcus Ajok.

The trio will be contesting in the women's 800m while the men's action will have Ronald Musagala against Abu Mayanja in the 1500.

The excitement follows influx of athletes from high altitude training in the Sebei region.

These have largely been missing in earlier trials that were dominated by athletes based in the central region.

Quarter miler Shida Leni hit the Gold Coast qualifying requirement at the last trial.

She joined marathon runners Stephen Kiprotich, Moses Kipsiro, Alex Chesakit, Robert Chemonges, Solomon Mutai and Jackson Kiprop.

Qualification deadline will be March 3. The team will thereafter go into camp to fi ne tune for the games.

Uganda will be represented in athletics, boxing, badminton, cycling, netball, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting.

Uganda has had a successful run at these games winning a total of 45 medals.

Of these 13 have been gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze.

At the last games in Glasgow, Moses Kipsiro won gold in the 10,000m while Nanyondo got bronze in the 800m.

Boxers Mike Sekambembe and FazilJuma Kaggwa also won bronze.

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