Nambawa targets world Accolade
Aug 02, 2010
AFRICA women triple jump champion Sarah Nambawa will continue her medal hunt when she takes part in the IAAF World Cup due in Croatia, starting September 4.
By Norman Katende
NAIROBI 2010 - 17th Africa Senior Athletics Championships
AFRICA women triple jump champion Sarah Nambawa will continue her medal hunt when she takes part in the IAAF World Cup due in Croatia, starting September 4.
Nambawa leapt 13.95m to rewrite the national record and win Uganda’s only gold medal at the African Senior Athletics Championships that concluded Sunday in Nairobi.
It was Nambawa’s first international medal and she believes that it was the beginning of more to come.
“If I was still in Uganda, I would have given up. But I now have a coach and the medal shows that I can now take on the international stars. I am ready to jump and compete alongside them,†she said.
By becoming an African champion, Nambawa automatically qualified to represent the continent in the IAAF World Cup together with silver medallist, Nigerian Donike Nkiruke.
The top two in each event qualified to represent the continent in the world meet, which sees top performing athletes clash for the world title.
Though there will be no 10000m event at the World Cup, Moses Kipsiro also has a chance on the continental team despite finishing fourth in the 5000m event behind a 1-2-3 Kenya finish. Each country is expected to enter only one athlete per event.
“I am going to step up my training. I want my star to rise higher and that is why I only did two jumps and saved my energy for more meets,†Nambawa said after being crowned African champion.
The US-based student is also targeting a medal at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games which are due in October.
Nambawa’s gold, together with Kipsiro’s silver in the 10000m event, lifted Uganda to 13th position on the medal table which was topped by hosts Kenya. Nigeria and South Africa came second and third respectively.
With the federation lacking funds, Nambawa paid for her own ticket to Nairobi for the championships. Government has pledged to facilitate her travel for the Club Games in India.
Medal table standings
Country G S B
1. Kenya 10 7 8
2. Nigeria 8 5 5
3. South Africa 6 7 6
13. Uganda 1 1 0
NAIROBI 2010 - 17th Africa Senior Athletics Championships
AFRICA women triple jump champion Sarah Nambawa will continue her medal hunt when she takes part in the IAAF World Cup due in Croatia, starting September 4.
Nambawa leapt 13.95m to rewrite the national record and win Uganda’s only gold medal at the African Senior Athletics Championships that concluded Sunday in Nairobi.
It was Nambawa’s first international medal and she believes that it was the beginning of more to come.
“If I was still in Uganda, I would have given up. But I now have a coach and the medal shows that I can now take on the international stars. I am ready to jump and compete alongside them,†she said.
By becoming an African champion, Nambawa automatically qualified to represent the continent in the IAAF World Cup together with silver medallist, Nigerian Donike Nkiruke.
The top two in each event qualified to represent the continent in the world meet, which sees top performing athletes clash for the world title.
Though there will be no 10000m event at the World Cup, Moses Kipsiro also has a chance on the continental team despite finishing fourth in the 5000m event behind a 1-2-3 Kenya finish. Each country is expected to enter only one athlete per event.
“I am going to step up my training. I want my star to rise higher and that is why I only did two jumps and saved my energy for more meets,†Nambawa said after being crowned African champion.
The US-based student is also targeting a medal at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games which are due in October.
Nambawa’s gold, together with Kipsiro’s silver in the 10000m event, lifted Uganda to 13th position on the medal table which was topped by hosts Kenya. Nigeria and South Africa came second and third respectively.
With the federation lacking funds, Nambawa paid for her own ticket to Nairobi for the championships. Government has pledged to facilitate her travel for the Club Games in India.
Medal table standings
Country G S B
1. Kenya 10 7 8
2. Nigeria 8 5 5
3. South Africa 6 7 6
13. Uganda 1 1 0