Team Uganda eyes medals in Cardiff

The Uganda long distance athletics team left Thursday for Cardiff, UK, promising to win medals in the inaugural Commonwealth half marathon  on Sunday.

Team captain Timothy Toroitich was confident saying his team is capable of setting a record by winning medals.

The  eight member team was flagged off by NCS Assistant Secretary David Katende at the council offices in Lugogo.

"I have never competed on the Cardiff course, but we shall put up a fight to win medals for our country in this event," the 27-year-old Toroitich said.

The team of four men and four women includes Fred Musobo, Felix Chemonges, Moses Kwemoi, Timothy Toroitich Lynette Chebet, Juliet Chekwel and Emilly Chebet.

"Our team is experienced because this is not their first time to compete at International level and they are determined to give it their best," The bronze medalist in the 21st Africa Senior championship in Asaba Nigeria noted.

NCS secretary before flagging off the team urged them to go for medals, because those medals mean a lot in their lives and history of the country because it is the inaugural event.

"Remember, beside team performance, this event has cash prizes for the top six performers, so go for gold, Silver and bronze," Katende stressed adding the government is committed to continued support.

Uganda Athletics Federation president Dominic Otucet urged the athletes to be focused emulate what their colleagues did in the mountain running last month when they won eleven medals of which six were gold.