Nyakisi, O’connor quarrel
NATIONAL half marathon champion Adero Nyakisi has petitioned the local athletics federation’s disciplinary committee over the conduct of her former coach Kevin O’Connor after the Sironko half marathon last Sunday.
By Norman Katende
NATIONAL half marathon champion Adero Nyakisi has petitioned the local athletics federation’s disciplinary committee over the conduct of her former coach Kevin O’Connor after the Sironko half marathon last Sunday.
O’Connor disagreed with the Prisons athlete last year after she got an opportunity to race in France as a build up to her international calendar.
The coach reportedly wanted Nyakisi to stay behind and first qualify for the Africa Senior Championships. Nyakisi and her coach Nalis Bigingo felt that the opportunity could not be lost.
However the case, which has seen O’Connor send numerous e-mails and text messages to Nyakisi’s French manager Denis Ponedhone, took an ugly turn on Sunday when he attacked the athlete just after winning the race.
“You are useless and stupid. You will never become any better athlete,†O’Connor swore at the athlete, who was being recorded moments after crossing the finishing line. He could not heed to pleas by the athlete to be allowed to recover first.
“I respect him as my former coach but it’s too much. He has sent abusive messages to me, my coach Bigingo and even my France manager. I am fed up and that is why I am petitioning the federation disciplinary committee to take action. I need to concentrate but my life is in danger. He has vowed to beat me up,†said Nyakisi.
Bigingo, who spotted the girl nine years back in Lira, said they will report the matter to the Police.
“This is unacceptable. We will also file a complaint with the Police. I think I made a mistake to allow him to be a part-time coach for the girl,†said Bigingo.
Efforts to contact O’Connor were futile after he dashed away from the competition venue and his phone was switched off.
Inzzi out for two weeks
Dorcus Inzikuru’s comeback to active athletics has been bogged down by an extra two week layoff in order for her to recover form the breast infection she got while in high altitude training in Kenya.
The Commonwealth champion, came back from Nairobi over the weekend to rest and get time to heal.
“I am on treatment and my doctor advised me to have an adequate rest. I will take two weeks off and in case there is little improvement, go to Italy for for further treatment,†said Inzikuru, who is gunning to hit fitness levels ahead of the season opening events in November.
Her coach Renato Canova wants her to take part in road races in Italy to pick speed and endurance.
NATIONAL half marathon champion Adero Nyakisi has petitioned the local athletics federation’s disciplinary committee over the conduct of her former coach Kevin O’Connor after the Sironko half marathon last Sunday.
O’Connor disagreed with the Prisons athlete last year after she got an opportunity to race in France as a build up to her international calendar.
The coach reportedly wanted Nyakisi to stay behind and first qualify for the Africa Senior Championships. Nyakisi and her coach Nalis Bigingo felt that the opportunity could not be lost.
However the case, which has seen O’Connor send numerous e-mails and text messages to Nyakisi’s French manager Denis Ponedhone, took an ugly turn on Sunday when he attacked the athlete just after winning the race.
“You are useless and stupid. You will never become any better athlete,†O’Connor swore at the athlete, who was being recorded moments after crossing the finishing line. He could not heed to pleas by the athlete to be allowed to recover first.
“I respect him as my former coach but it’s too much. He has sent abusive messages to me, my coach Bigingo and even my France manager. I am fed up and that is why I am petitioning the federation disciplinary committee to take action. I need to concentrate but my life is in danger. He has vowed to beat me up,†said Nyakisi.
Bigingo, who spotted the girl nine years back in Lira, said they will report the matter to the Police.
“This is unacceptable. We will also file a complaint with the Police. I think I made a mistake to allow him to be a part-time coach for the girl,†said Bigingo.
Efforts to contact O’Connor were futile after he dashed away from the competition venue and his phone was switched off.
Inzzi out for two weeks
Dorcus Inzikuru’s comeback to active athletics has been bogged down by an extra two week layoff in order for her to recover form the breast infection she got while in high altitude training in Kenya.
The Commonwealth champion, came back from Nairobi over the weekend to rest and get time to heal.
“I am on treatment and my doctor advised me to have an adequate rest. I will take two weeks off and in case there is little improvement, go to Italy for for further treatment,†said Inzikuru, who is gunning to hit fitness levels ahead of the season opening events in November.
Her coach Renato Canova wants her to take part in road races in Italy to pick speed and endurance.