Musagala unhappy ahead of World Championships

World Athletics Championships (Aug 4-13)

National 1500 metre record holder Ronald Musagala is unhappy with the choice of Uganda's coaches to major competitions.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority Athletics Club captain is particularly not amused that his coach Raphael Kasajja will not be at the London World Championships.

"We are five athletes from the same club travelling to London. Why isn't our coach travelling with us?" complained Musagala.

Uganda's team of 20 runners departs for London today with UPDF's Gordon Ahimbisibwe as head coach.

Kasajja is the only Ugandan coach who has for the past four years had his athletes qualifying at local meets.

"For such big events, you have to be with someone who understands you," stated Musagala, citing the Rio Olympics where he says absence of his coach cost him a medal.

"I would have most likely won a medal. But I made some blunders that would have certainly been corrected had Kasajja been in Brazil."

UWA also has Timothy Toroitich (10,000m) and 800m runners Winnie Nanyondo, Halima Nakaayi and Abu Mayanja on the London bound team.

Musagala expressed his feelings at a send-off function presided over by UWA's Executive Director Andrew Seguya at Kitante, Kampala yesterday.

"UWA is extremely proud of its champions and will be cheering them on through the IAAF event.

Their participation alone is one step in the right direction in promoting conservation of wildlife and the ecosystem that we are mandated to do," he noted.

Seguya added that Uganda's participation shall raise the visibility of the country on the world stage.

"These are our ambassadors for the organisation, promoting good sportsmanship and collegiality. We are honoured to have such fine athletes as part of the UWA family."