Slow Start To AG Trial

Jul 26, 2003

ARUA’S Moses Aliwa ran Uganda’s fastest 10,000m of the year as the national athletics championship got off to a low key start at Namboole yesterday.

By James Bakama
ARUA’S Moses Aliwa ran Uganda’s fastest 10,000m of the year as the national athletics championship got off to a low key start at Namboole yesterday.

Aliwa clocked 29 minutes 16.3 seconds as four runners dipped under 30 minutes.

The two-day competition was watered down by the absence of the elite Ezra Track Team, whose runners form the cream of the middle and long distance cream.

The team, financed by tycoon Michael Ezra, is questioning Uganda Amateur Athletics Federation’s (UAAF) legitimacy.

The competition was by press time yet to register any new qualifiers for the All Africa Games. Dorcus Inzikuru (5000m), Boniface Kiprop (5000m), Margaret Nakintu (800m and 1500), Annet Kabasindi (javelin) and Pascal Owor (800m), Veronica Wabukawo (100m) are the only Ugandans who have hit the Abuja games mark so far.
Uganda sports personality of the year Inzikuru was at Namboole to give the competition some weight. She easily won the 1500m in 4:27.4.

US based Veronica Wabukawo clocked 12.1 to win the women’s 100m on a day when big names like Boniface Kiprop, Julius Achon and Jafred Lorone failed to show up.
The men’s 1500m final should be the highlight today after two closely contested semifinal races yesterday.

The men to watch will be Tonny Okello, who won his heat in 3:48.5 and Mark Masai who did the same in the other heat in 3:50.2. Junior star John Paul Surundu produced a superb 10.6 seconds in the 100m.
Ends

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