Competitions director backs coach over Kiprotich
Mar 15, 2017
Faustino Kiwa clears the air after reports that Timothy Toroitich had been named captain by the technical committee.
PIC: Stephen Kiprotich took part in the senior men National Cross Country championships at Kololo in January 2016. (Credit: Norman Katende)
Uganda Athletics Federation technical committee member Faustino Kiwa has said the national coaches and their teams have the final say on captaincy.
"UAF doesn't impose captains on teams. We can only suggest. The final say on who leads a national team is with the athletes and their coaches," he said Tuesday.
Kiwa was clearing the air after reports indicated on Monday that Timothy Toroitich had been named captain by the technical committee.
National coach Benjamin Longiros had earlier announced that Stephen Kiprotich would play the same role on Uganda's World Cross Country team.
Longiros said the athletes and coaches jointly agreed on Kiprotich because of not only his leadership qualities, but also his role model status.
Kiprotich is an Olympic and World championship gold medalist. Kiprotich is however currently training in Kenya and has Abel Cheptegei deputising on his behalf.
"If the athletes decided that Kiprotich is their captain, we can't reverse it. They have the power to name their leader," stated Kiwa.
Kiwa is also local organising committee competition director for the world cross country.
Longiros said they zeroed on Kiprotich after a consensus with the athletes and his fellow coaches in the team's camp in Kapchorwa.
Longiros is jointly handling the team with Francis Demayi, Grace Chesang, and Bejamin Njia.
Countries begin arriving next week for the global event that will be staged at Kololo.
The national squad has been in residential training in Bukwo and Kapchorwa in eastern Uganda under the watchful eye of a technical team.
TEAM UGANDA
U-20 Women: Peruth Chemutai, Esther Chekwemoi, Sarah Chelangat, Janat Chemusto, Adha Munguleya, Scallet Chemos
U-20 Men: Jacob Kiplimo, Titus Kwemoi Given, Victor Kiplangat, Elisha Chemutai, Kevin Kibet, Mathew Chekwurui Reserve Anthony Ayeko and Abel Chebet.
Senior Women: Mercyline Chelangat, Racheal Zena Chebet, Chesang Stella, Chesang Doreen, Doreen Chemutai, Chebet Emilly Reserve Chebet Annet
Senior Men: Joshua Kipurui Cheptegei, Phillip Kipkeko, Abdalla Kibet Mande, Timothy Toroitich, Stephen Kiprotich, Stephen Kissa
Reserve: Fred Musobo and Mande Bushendich
Mixed Relays: Nanyondo Winnie, Ruto Geoffrey Kipkorir, Ajok Dorcus, Musagala Ronald and Reserve Chebet Esther and Abu Mayanja.
KNOW YOUR 2017 IAAF STARS
Timothy Toroitich
Peruth Chemutai
Stephen Kiprotich
Jacob Kiplimo
WORLD CROSS COUNTRY BUILDUP
No easy road
Progress
It's full throttle
Test run on
'We are ready'
60 nations confirm participation
Athletics body drive on