Inzikuru gold crowns year

Dec 15, 2000

IN a year where most of Uganda's sports disciplines wept, athletics was a class apart.

By James Bakama IN a year where most of Uganda's sports disciplines wept, athletics was a class apart. Track and field restored confidence in the country with a Dorcas Inzikuru act that put the country in the spotlight. The Mvara Secondary School teenager proved that talent still abounds in Uganda by striking gold at the World Junior Championships. The feat made Inzikuru the first Ugandan woman to mount the prestigious biennial event's medal podium. It was also an achievement that signaled a bright future for a sport where women had last sparkled over a decade earlier through stars like Ruth Kyalisiima and late Judith Ayaa. Her words on return from South America had all the markings of an even brighter future. "I will work even harder." Inzikuru had earlier in the season shown that she was not only good on track by also shining in the World Cross-country in Vilamoura, Portugal. Her Vilamoura performance came in the wake of an even bigger performance by Uganda's junior men's team. Martin Toroitich, Job Sikoria, Paul Wakou and Francis Yiga stunned the world by handing Uganda her first medal,a bronze, at the top cross-country competition. Inzikuru's team finished fifth. Uganda was propped into the top ten by spirited runs from Inzikuru and Toroitich, who shoved off a tough challenge from more seasoned runners to finish tenth. But the Vilamoura success would have easily remained a dream had it not been for a Divinity Union offer. Divinity Union, owned by prominent businessman Salim Saleh,not only funded a crucial three months high altitude training in Kabale for Vilamoura, but also funded the trip to Portugal. Santiago could have easily provided Uganda double victory. But chances of winning another medal were dashed by an injury for Julius Ogwang in the 1,500m semi-finals. Ogwang, out to emulate previous Ugandan medallists at the world meet - Francis Ogola (bronze) and Julius Acon (gold)- proved he was medal material by running the fastest semi-final time. The sprouting of these juniors was a consolation in a season, where seniors like Davis Kamoga, Acon and Grace Birungi were not at their best. The Sydney Olympics, the season's highlight, was supposed to be the seniors moment to also shine. But the fact that none of them made it to the final, was proof of their poor form. Kamoga, an Atlanta Olympic bronze medallist, was this time a shadow of his former self. No wonder that at the end of the games he hinted plans of quitting. Inzikuru's might on the local scene was felt at the National cross-country and National Championships, where she led Arua to the women's titles. Bombo SS remained the school to beat. The Luwero school won the National Post Primary Championship and most of the cross-country titles. But Makerere College School, a stable for almost all the big names of the past two decades, was this time inexplicably low key. There were whispers of a clash between the school's management and UAAF. UAAF nevertheless deserves a tick for good management. Amongst the federation's leading achievements, was a move to convince Divinity Union to fund the federation. An even brighter future seems to await the athletes following a Divinity Union promise to attract more sponsors. But much as UAAF was outstanding, all was not well in the federation. Squabbles that undermined the federation's previous executives again emerged. The only difference this time was absence of militant expression of the discontent. Complaints, mainly amongst coaches, were more in murmurs for fear of what one official described as victimisation. The disgruntled accused an influential delegate, who despite not being an executive member, wielded a lot of influence to an extent of determining which coaches travelled abroad with teams. UAAF should only pray that the discontent does not burst out in the athletics governing body's general assembly early next year. These few mishaps aside, UAAF under the chairmanship of Habib Suleiman scored highly in 2000. Ends

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