Australia,Canada to arrive first for World Cross Country

Workers putting last touches on the grass at the Kololo Independence grounds, the venue for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017.  PHOTOS: Michael Nsubuga

It is said that there is no substitute for preparation.

Well aware of the stiff competition that awaits them at the World Cross Country, Australia and Canada have chosen to come well in advance.

The two nations will be the first foreign entries to arrive in Uganda for the March 26 world meet.

The two nations are among the 66 nations that so far have confirmed participation.

Australia will be in Kampala six days before competition day while Canada will be on March 22.

Local Organising Committee secretary Beatrice Ayikoru, says countries have started sharing their arrival details ahead of the world event for easy planning.

"Those countries that have longer flights always arrive early so that they recover ahead of the event. We are ready for the event and all parties are doing everything possible to ensure that it is a success.

We are here to offer people the best experience of Uganda," she stated.

Other countries have confirmed competing in the event but are yet to send in their arrival details.

This will be the biggest sports event ever hosted by Uganda.

Only three African countries have ever hosted it. Morocco were the first followed by South Africa and Kenya.

This is the most biggest competition in international cross country running.

Held annually and organised by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships.

It was an annual competition until 2011, when the IAAF changed it to a biennial event.