The clock is ticking to the Tokyo Olympic Games. They will get underway on July 23, a year since they were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And with slightly over a month to the start, the government of Uganda and the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) sent their first batch of athletes to Japan.
The quintet of swimmer Atuhaire Ambale, weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko and boxing trio of Catherine Nanziri, David Semujju and Shadir Musa were flagged off by sports minister Hamson Obua this week.
This is the earliest that Uganda has sent athletes to the Olympics in its history. The five are to be camped in Izumisano city, a coastal spot located in the Osaka Prefecture.
“The history of participation of our country in the Olympic Games will be written. You must ask yourself, where will your name be?” Obua told the athletes in the company of UOC president Donald Rukare. “This is your golden opportunity,” he said.
According to Team Uganda Chef de mission Beatrice Ayikoru, 26 athletes have qualified but they will travel to Tokyo in batches with the next set to go at the end of June.
Athletics, who have the most competitors - 19 - have their first group travelling on July 25.
Izumisano was selected by UOC and the government as part of the plan embedded in a MoU that was signed with the Embassy of Japan back in 2018.
“It will be accepting the Uganda team as a host town as it has a long lasting history of friendship with Uganda,” stated Embassy of Japan’s Charge d’Affair Horii Mizumoto.
Izumisano is known for towel manufacture and it imports cotton from Uganda. Gulu city in northern Uganda is a sister to Izumisano and Mizumoto promised a conducive environment for Uganda.
“Upon arrival in Izumisano, I am sure the Ugandan team will enjoy
Omotenashi,
the Japanese hospitality, cutting edge technology, rich culture and beautiful sceneries. I hope it will be a wonderful experience for you,” Mizumoto said to the departing contingent.
UGANDA’S FIRST BATCH TO TOKYO
ATHLETES: Atuhaire Ambale, David Semujju, Catherine Nanziri, Shadir Musa, Julius Ssekitoleko
OFFICIALS: Patrick Lihanda, Hassan Mulandi, Hakim Ssempereza, David Katende, Shiya Kenichi
UGANDA’S MEDALS AT OLYMPICS
1968 Mexico City: Eridadi Mukwanga (Bantamweight Silver)
1968 Mexico City: Leo Rwabwogo (Flyweight Bronze)
1972 Munich: John Akii-Bua (400m Hurdles Gold)
1972 Munich: Leo Rwabwogo (Flyweight Silver)
1980 Moscow: John Mugabi (Welterweight Silver)
1996 Atlanta: Davis Kamoga (400m Bronze)
2012 London: Stephen Kiprotich (Marathon Gold)
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This writer is a global broadcaster and as well, a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune