Cycling fails to meet objectives of the year

By Silvano Kibuuka CYCLING this year has had more setbacks than glories especially after the game's local governors failed to fulfil most of the activities on their calendar. Credit can only go to a few clubs that managed to organize the individual Club Championships, the only kind of activities held in the year. Uganda Cycling Association (UCA) had an enthusiastic start of the season though, having began with a grass-root campaign of mapping 11 zones in the country. They were due to hold the Zonal Championships as a way of disseminating the game. But the Championships, scheduled for Kampala, Lira, Luwero, Mbarara, Kabalore, Mubende, Masaka, Iganga, Mbale, Nebbi and Kitgum between February and August, did not materialise. Independent observers say the flop was due to administrative wrangles in UCA. Since January, UCA officials have not met their chairman. There has been a silent row between the 10-year incumbent chairman, Sam Muwonge Mahaba and his vice chairman, Haji Bruhane Kinene. Muwonge is said to have taken charge of road race events while Kinene embarked on developing the newly introduced sport of mountain biking. Ugandan Cyclists have this year missed participating in international events, even in Kenya where they have won many competitions before. The national championship was due October 29 and postponed indefinitely as the cycling fraternity now eyes the annual general meeting due December 17 at Lugogo. The new branch of mountain biking, however, seems to have scored a bigger success as they fulfiled most of their events. Against all odds, Uganda is now looking forward to bidding to host the World Mountain Biking Championships after getting two circuits that meet international standards, one at Maya in Mpigi and another at Mabira forest in Mukono. UCA also stayed with the burden of accumulating affiliation fees to cycling's world ruling body, the International Cycling Union, amounting to more than $3000 (sh5.4m). With many of the projected events not held, the source of that money will not have been clear by the end of the season. Events held in the season were; Road races January 23 Kayenta annual rally February 6 Kobs Bonanza July 30 Speed Ways annual rally August 13 Kasubi Kobs / Green Light Rally October 7/8 Bicycle Tour October 22 Green Light/ Kobs Rally. Mountain Bike Races April 29 International Competition at Mabira July 1/2 The second International Competition at Mabira October 10 Independence 7-Hills Tour in Kampala Other Highlights Issa Bukenya was accepted by many as the most impressive cyclist of the year. Kyanja Club was best performing club of the year. Ends.