Athletics Camp Dream Comes True This Week
May 19, 2003
THE sh200m athletics high altitude camp mooted last month, comes to life this week, five months ahead of schedule.
By James Bakama
THE sh200m athletics high altitude camp mooted last month, comes to life this week, five months ahead of schedule.
Michael Ezra, the initiator of the project to turn Uganda’s long distance runners into world beaters, announced the change yesterday, saying it will give athletes a chance to blossom this season.
“I have realised that the sooner we start preparing for the busy season ahead the better,†said Ezra, a former sprinter, now businessman.
Ezra, who had earlier budgeted for a ten-month camp, explained that an alteration has been made to boost teamwork and preparations for the World Junior and Senior Championships and All Africa Games.
The camp is ultimately supposed to fine-tune runners for next year’s World Cross-country and Athens Olympics.
Training will start with three girls and 17 boys, who will be staying in rented premises in Kapchorwa as Ezra finalises purchase of land to construct a 400m track and hostel.
Long distance national coach Johnson Kasajja will be in charge of what will be a permanent high altitude middle and long distance training camp.
Ezra was drawn back to athletics two months ago after learning of the plight of Uganda’s junior Cross-country team.
Ezra together with SN Brussels Airlines salvaged the juniors that went on to win a team bronze medal while their captain Boniface Kiprop won a silver. Thrilled by the performance ,Ezra decided he would form the camp.
The team picked:
Girls- Margaret Nakintu, Apio Alome, Catherine Webombesa. Boys- Boniface Kiprop, Moses Kipsiro, James Kibet, Wilson Kipkemei, Simon Ayieko, Stephen Kiprotich, Martin Kiplimo,, Isaac Kiprop, Francis Droti, Mark Mukuye, Patrick Asasira, Mark Masai, Tony Okello, Francis Yiga and Martin Toroitich.
Ends
THE sh200m athletics high altitude camp mooted last month, comes to life this week, five months ahead of schedule.
Michael Ezra, the initiator of the project to turn Uganda’s long distance runners into world beaters, announced the change yesterday, saying it will give athletes a chance to blossom this season.
“I have realised that the sooner we start preparing for the busy season ahead the better,†said Ezra, a former sprinter, now businessman.
Ezra, who had earlier budgeted for a ten-month camp, explained that an alteration has been made to boost teamwork and preparations for the World Junior and Senior Championships and All Africa Games.
The camp is ultimately supposed to fine-tune runners for next year’s World Cross-country and Athens Olympics.
Training will start with three girls and 17 boys, who will be staying in rented premises in Kapchorwa as Ezra finalises purchase of land to construct a 400m track and hostel.
Long distance national coach Johnson Kasajja will be in charge of what will be a permanent high altitude middle and long distance training camp.
Ezra was drawn back to athletics two months ago after learning of the plight of Uganda’s junior Cross-country team.
Ezra together with SN Brussels Airlines salvaged the juniors that went on to win a team bronze medal while their captain Boniface Kiprop won a silver. Thrilled by the performance ,Ezra decided he would form the camp.
The team picked:
Girls- Margaret Nakintu, Apio Alome, Catherine Webombesa. Boys- Boniface Kiprop, Moses Kipsiro, James Kibet, Wilson Kipkemei, Simon Ayieko, Stephen Kiprotich, Martin Kiplimo,, Isaac Kiprop, Francis Droti, Mark Mukuye, Patrick Asasira, Mark Masai, Tony Okello, Francis Yiga and Martin Toroitich.
Ends