Staff Reporter
Twelve athletes from Ankole and Kigezi Sub-region have successfully qualified for the national cross-country championships. Noteworthy 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.
The announcement was made by Karuma Charles, the training camp coordinator and Kabale delegate at the Uganda Athletics Federation. These athletes, who emerged victorious at the South Western cross-country championships held at Kigezi High School’s lower playgrounds in Kabale, will be representing southwestern Uganda at the National Cross-Country Competitions in Tororo on February 10, 2024.
The training camp, which started on January 6 and attracted over 30 athletes, took place at Kabale Trinity College in Kabale Municipality. During the event, Dan Tamwesigire, the Former Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports, expressed concern over the limited participation of local athletes at the national level. He attributed this to the insufficient training grounds in Kigezi Sub-region.
Tamwesigire called upon local governments to ensure that schools have adequate playgrounds to foster physical education and develop talents among children. He also advised the selected athletes to avoid negative influences and remain focused on achieving success in sports.
Furthermore, Gilbert Orikiriza, an official from the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Physical Education and Sports Department, cautioned participants against using performance-enhancing drugs. He emphasized the severe consequences, including potential bans from athletics, for those caught using such substances. Orikiriza also pointed out the absence of dedicated training grounds as a contributing factor to Kigezi sub-region’s inability to host national athletics competitions.
