The team includes Elijah Cheptoek, Abel Chebet, Ezekiel Mutai, Isaiah Kibet, and Levi Kiprotich while the officials are Aggrey Agol and Moses Kipsiro.
Senior men race during the cross country team selection in Tororo. Photo by William Cheptoek
Uganda's team of athletes will on Thursday set off for the African Cross Country Championship in Tunisia.
Abdallah Muhammed, the Publicity secretary at Uganda
Athletics Federation (UAF), says the contingent of five athletes only Senior
Men category includes Elijah Cheptoek, Abel Chebet, Ezekiel
Mutai, Isaiah Kibet, and Levi Kiprotich while the officials are Aggrey Agol and
Moses Kipsiro.
Muhammed explains they considered the senior men category following the limited
resources at the Federation because the government did not release the funds in
time.
He also noted that UAF is focusing on the World cross country
championships, thus some athletes like Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei among
others were spared the intensive preparation for the highly anticipated competitive
event.
Elijah Cheptoek, the national team captain says he expects a
great performance from the entire team. “We will try our best as a team for this game is a teamwork race, there is hope
that we shall have a striking performance," says Cheptoek.
Moses Kipsiro, the lead leader believes the team will make the country proud.
“With the confidence
the team has marred with technical advice, we hope to defend our nation," says Kipsiro who is also the 2008
Commonwealth double gold medalist in 10,000 and 5,000 meters,
The 2024 Africa Cross Country Championships will take place
on Sunday.