Summary
– Thirteen Ugandan athletes to compete in Douala, Cameroon
– Six men, seven women in the team
– Training locations: Nairobi, Kenya, and Europe
– Coaches: Senior Noah Muzira and Sarah Nambawa
Thirteen athletes from Uganda were flagged off to compete in the 23rd African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon.
The team, consisting of six men and seven women, has undergone extensive training in various locations, including Nairobi, Kenya.
Their rigorous preparation underscores the importance of the upcoming competition as a stepping stone to the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The athletes will be supported by their experienced coaches, Senior Noah Muzira from Busoga and Sarah Nambawa.
Nambawa, affectionately nicknamed “Cash” for her illustrious career, which includes winning gold medals in 2010 in Nairobi and 2012 in Beijing, brings invaluable experience to the team. Their guidance and expertise will be crucial as the athletes strive for excellence on the continental stage.
The Lineup
Among the standout performers on the team is Josephine Lalam, who will be representing Uganda in the javelin throw event, bringing with her a combination of technical prowess and strength.
Likewise, Shida Leni, renowned for her speed and stamina, will be competing in the 400 meters, aiming to outshine her competitors on the track. Meanwhile, distance runners Belinda Chemutai, Esther Chebet, and Loice Chekwemoi are all set to take on the challenges of the 5000 meters and 3000 meters steeplechase events, showcasing their endurance and strategic racing skills.
Adding depth to the middle-distance events are Susan Aneno and Knight Aciru, who will be competing in the 800 meters and 1500 meters, respectively, bringing their own unique strengths to the competition. Similarly, Charles Okello will be demonstrating his versatility and athleticism as he competes in both the long jump and triple jump events, while Haron Adoli will be aiming to dominate the 400 meters with his explosive speed.
In the grueling 3000 meters steeplechase, the team will be represented by Leonard Chemutai and Elphas Toroitich, who are prepared to tackle the demanding combination of distance running and barriers. Ronald Musagala, with his wealth of experience and tactical acumen, will be a strong contender in the 1500 meters, while Tom Dradriga will be putting his skills to the test in the highly competitive 800 meters race, which demands both speed and strategy.
Dominic Otucet, the President of the Uganda Athletics Federation, emphasized the strategic shift towards focusing on continental competitions. Historically, Uganda has placed more emphasis on the global stage, but Otucet believes that excelling in African competitions is vital for securing more Olympic berths. “Our major expectation is to fight for medals and to build up for Olympic qualifiers. Shida has only one opportunity to qualify for the Olympics,” he explained.
Otucet’s comments reflect the federation’s broader strategy to elevate Uganda’s presence in athletics by achieving significant results at the continental level.
Leonard Chemutai Brief Profile
Leonard Chemutai (born 5 May 2003) is a Ugandan track and field athlete.
Career
Chemutai finished seventh in the Men’s 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.
In August 2022, he finished fourth in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
Chemutai won the U20 classic mountain race at the Trail World Championships in 2022.
In 2023, he won the senior race at the championships.
Selected for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, he qualified for the final of the 3000m steeplechase, in which he finished twelfth.
Uganda Squad
Women’s Squad:
Josephine Lalam – Javelin
Shida Leni – 400m
Belinda Chemutai – 5000m
Loice Chekwemoi – 3000m Steeplechase
Esther Chebet – 5000m
Susan Aneno – 800m
Knight Aciru – 1500m
Men’s Squad
Charles Okello – Long Jump/Triple Jump
Haron Adoli – 400m
Leonard Chemutai – 3000m Steeplechase
Ronald Musagala – 1500m
Tom Dradriga – 800m
Elphas Toroitich – 3000m Steeplechase
