VP to flag off national athletics team

By Norman Katende

Vice President Edward Ssekandi is set to flag off the national athletics team that is set to fly out Wednesday for the IAAF World Cross Country championships due in Guiyang, China on Saturday.

Ssekandi confirmed Tuesday evening that he will be flagging off the team from Lugogo at 9.30am to give them ample time to prepare for the 18-hour journey where they are expected to arrive in Guiyang on Thursday at 3.00pm.

"We have just received a confirmation that he has accepted to flag them off.  It will be good for the boys as they will be inspired to even perform better," said Beatrice Ayikoru of the team that has been training in Bukwo for just over one month under coaches Grace Chesang, Benjamin Njia and Nalis Bigingo.

Philip Kipyeko beat Moses Kipsiro at the National cross country championships in Jinja. PHOTO/ Norman Katende

Due to finances, only Grace Chesang will be travelling with the team and she will be joined by Italian coach Giambrone Giuseppe, who coached the team at the World Half marathon, Africa Senior and World Mountain running championships together with Faustino Kiwa and Beatrice Ayikoru, who are travelling as members of the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country championships Local organising committee.

State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi will lead the delegation, while Kampala Executive Director  Jennifer Musisi will be travelling as the host for the  2017 event, who will receive the IAAF flag after the World Cross Country Championships.

The team

Junior women: Mercyline Chelangat, Doreen Chemutai, Janat Chemusto, Rachael Chebet Zena and Stella Chesang

Junior men: Joshua Cheptegei, Fred Musobo, Monday Bushendich, Abel Chebet and Robert Chemonges

Senior women: , Juliet Chekwel, Adero Nyakisi, Nancy Cheptegei, Patricia Chekwemboi and Emily Chebet

Senior Men: Moses Kipsiro, Timothy Toroitich, Philip Kipyeko, Geoffrey Kusuro and Moses Kibet