Chekwel, Kipsiro make tentative Cross-country team

By Norman Katende

THE performance committee for the Africa Cross-country Championships team has combined both experience and performance as they summoned the team to start preparing for the race. 

The continental event is due March 16 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Uganda’s top performers at last year’s World Cross-country Championships that included Timothy Toroitich, Moses Kipsiro and Juliet Chekwel who did not take part in the National Cross-country Championships as she was recovering from a bout of typhoid.

“We have had to summon both the top performers at the National Cross-country Championships and also other runners who might not have made it to the national event but we believe that they are good enough to boost the Ugandan team,” said coach Abdallah Mohammed as the team that will head to camp in Bukwo was unveiled.

Also Geoffrey Kusuro, who finished fourth at the IAAF cross country permit meet of Cinque Mulin in Italy was also part of the experienced faces that were called, while new kid on the block Ronald Musagala, was also summoned.

“We are calling all those who have the potential. We will be having another selection in camp where the final team will be named,” added Muhammed.

The team is set to camp in the Bukwo highlands, though the federation is still looking for some money to take the team to camp.

Junior Girls:  Stella Chesang (Police), Phanice Chemutai (Elgon), Chebet Rachael Zena (Police), Janat   Chemusto (Police), Sarah Chelangat (Elgon), Patricia Chepkwemoi (Police), Fanis Chepkwemoi (Standard) and Karren Chepkwemoi (UPDF) 

Junior Boys:  Phillip Kipyeko (Prisons),  Joshua Cheptegei (Police), Alex Cherop Kapcheromit (Police), Abdallah Mande Kibet (Police), Felix Chemonges (Prisons), Ben Somikwo (Elgon), Stephen Kiiza (Prisons) and Isaac Kibet (Police) 

Senior Women:  Linnet Chebet Toroitich (Arua), Rebecca Cheptegei (UPDF), Nancy Cheptegei (UPDF),  Vanis Chemutai (Prisons), Doreen Chesang (Standard), Winnie Nanyondo (UWA) and Juliet Chekwel (UPDF) 

Senior Men: Moses Kipsiro (Elgon), Daniel Rotich (Standard), Moses Kibet (Arua), Isaac Ayeko (Elgon), Thomas Ayeko (Elgon),  Peter Kibet (Police), Timothy Toroitich (Elgon), Ronald Musagala (UWA), Ben Siwa (Police), Nathan Ayeko (Alpha), Solomon Mutai (Arua), Geoffrey Kusuro (Arua) and Phillip Kiplimo (Prisons)