Distance Athletes depart last for commonwealth Games

Sep 20, 2010

DISTANCE athletes will be the last group of Ugandans to head to New Delhi. This according to experts is to enable them to benefit most from their high attitude training, that would wear out if they spent several days at low altitude before competing.

By Norman Katende

DISTANCE athletes will be the last group of Ugandans to head to New Delhi. This according to experts is to enable them to benefit most from their high attitude training, that would wear out if they spent several days at low altitude before competing.

The national federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru yesterday confirmed that all the distance athletes that include Benjamin Kiplagat, Moses Kipsiro and Geoffrey Kusuro will be travelling to New Delhi later.

“Basically, the sprinters will be travelling with the first delegation since they need the acclimatisation. However the distance runners will travel later. Athletics is set to start on October 6 and there is no need to have athletes in New Delhi so many days before they compete,” explained Beatrice Ayikoru.

Athletics will be represented by 12 members at the biennial games, and is Uganda’s best bet for a medal, in the absence of boxing.

The first delegation of the contingent departs for the games on September 25 and will be followed by two delegations on September 27 and September 30 ahead of the October 3 grand opening ceremony.

Already chief de mission Wilson Tumwine, the two general team mangers Abbey Mubiru and Timothy Magala, UOC administrative secretary Irene Matovu and badminton Chief Executive officer Simon Mugabi are already in New Delhi, for prior arrangements.

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