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Uganda will be hoping to win a medal through its biggest Joshua Cheptegei when the Tokyo 2020 Olympics come in July.
The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) in partnership with the government through the National Council of Sports (NCS) are counting down the last 90 days to the Games with lots of activity.
There are about 23 Ugandan athletes who have qualified for the Tokyo Games in three disciplines; rowing, athletics, and boxing.
This will be Uganda’s 16th appearance at the Games and UOC is hoping to secure a few more slots.
“We still have a few athletes to qualify for the Games,” said UOC secretary-general Beatrice Ayikoru.
“April 29 would have been the deadline but because of Covid, things have been changing.”
The hope is in three disciplines; weightlifting, skating, and swimming. “Preparations started in 2018 with 12 disciplines but the number has dwindled to seven disciplines,” remarked Ayikoru.
“We anticipate between two to four weightlifters (African qualifier) to qualify and we expect at least two skaters to qualify,” she added.
Weightlifters will be in Madagascar for the final hurrah and their fate should be decided by May 15, swimmers’ rankings will be sorted by May 7 while skaters have their window open until June 29.
ATHLETES QUALIFIED FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS - SO FAR
ATHLETICS
Women: Halima Nakaayi (800m), Winnie Nanyondo (800m & 1500m), Peruth Chemutai (3000m steeplechase), Stella Chesang & Sarah Chelangat (5000m), Juliet Chekwel & Immaculate Chemutai (Marathon)
Men: Ronald Musagala (1500m), Albert Chemutai (3000m Steeplechase), Stephen Kissa (5000m), Joshua Cheptegei & Abdallah Mande (10000m), *Fred Musobo, *Stephen Kiprotich, *Solomon Mutai, *Filex Chemonges, *Geoffrey Kusuro, *Jackson Kiprop & *Robert Chemonges, Alex Chesakit*, Phillip Kiplimo* (all Marathon)
*Only 3 can be allowed to compete
BOXING
Women: Catherine Nanziri (Flyweight)
Men: Musa Shadir (Welterweight), David Semujju (Middleweight)
ROWING
Women: Kathleen Noble (Single Scull)
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 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