Ugandans in diaspora back World Cross Country

Mar 03, 2017

Only three African countries have hosted the prestigious biennial meet

Ugandans in the diaspora are not about to be left out of the athletics limelight that their country is about to enjoy.

With the World Cross Country at Kololo just three weeks away, former athletes in Europe and USA are mobilizing to fly home for the March 26 event.

"We want to be part of history. It is very unlikely that Uganda will ever host such a major event again," said the main mobiliser Herbert Magombe.

Magombe, a former Bank of Uganda middle distance athlete, said he has reached out to many countrymen to be part of the event.

Edward Bitoga, Moses Kyeswa, Charles Mbazira, John Mwondha, Henry Ssebaale, Olive Acii and Grace Birungi are some of the Europe based former national athletes planning to be at Kololo.

There is also the US based group of Charles Omiya, Herbert Habyalimana, Apollo Wandera and Bornes Andama.

Only three African countries have hosted the prestigious biennial meet. This will be the biggest sports event ever to be staged by Uganda.

Morocco was the first in 1975. South Africa followed in 1996 before Morocco hosting again in 1998. Kenya (2007) is the most recent African country to have hosted the meet.

Ethiopia and Kenya have been the most successful nations at the now biennial event.

Uganda's best performance has been Moses Kipsiro's silver in the 2009 edition in Jordan.

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