NATIONAL Council of sports yesterday welcomed back the national athletics team from the world cross country championship in Poland with a package of sh3m, for flying Uganda’s flag high, reports Norman Katende.

Moses Kipsiro on Sunday won the team’s only individual medal, a bronze in the senior men competition, while the junior men and women returned with team bronze medals.

Team coach Gordon Ahimbisibwe called for more training and more funding so that the team travels early to international races. He also wants the athletes feeding improved.

At a media conference at Lugogo, where team captains Annet Negesa and Moses Kipsiro handed back the flag to NCS general secretary Jasper Aligawesa, the NCS boss noted the need for more funding.

“Kenyans arrived in Poland five days before the race and they got the needed acclimatisation. That is why they dominated all races. We will join hands to see that our teams also travel early, if we are to beat them,” Aligawesa said.

He promised to heed Ahimbisibwe’s call for more time in camp by offering a helping hand.

Athletics boss Dominic Otuchet urged the athletes to use the experience they have acquired to spur them to more glory.