KABALE – Twelve athletes hailing from Ankole and Kigezi Sub-region secured spots for the national cross-country championships.
Notable qualifiers include Balia Brendah, Kabuhwezi Patricia, Gumoshabe Merab, Owembabazi Clever, Nuwasiima Phionah, Tabanganisa Bridget, Nuwagaba Louis, Mugume Barnabas, Katurebe Edson, Turinawe Ambrose, Byakatonda Alex, and Mwebaze Nicholus.
According to Karuma Charles, the training camp coordinator and Kabale delegate at the Uganda Athletics Federation, the athletes will represent southwestern Uganda at the National Cross-Country Competitions in Tororo on February 10, 2024.
Karuma made the announcement on Saturday during the South Western cross-country championships finals held at Kigezi High School’s lower playgrounds in Kabale. Commencing on January 6, the training camp attracted over 30 athletes and was hosted at Kabale Trinity College in Kabale Municipality.
During the event, Former Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports, Dan Tamwesigire, lamented the low participation of local athletes at the national level, linking it to the lack of training grounds in Kigezi Sub-region.
Tamwesigire urged local governments to ensure schools have playgrounds to promote physical education and nurture talents among children. He advised selected athletes to steer clear of negative influences and stay focused on succeeding in sports.
CUE IN TAMWESIGYIRE….ON ATHLETICS…..RR//
In addition, Gilbert Orikiriza, an official from the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Physical Education and Sports Department, warned participants against using performance-enhancing drugs, emphasizing the consequences of being caught, which may lead to a ban from athletics.
Orikiriza also highlighted the absence of dedicated training grounds as a reason for Kigezi sub-region’s failure to host national athletics competitions.
CUE IN ORIKIRIZA….ON TRAINING GROUNDS…..ENG//
