Sande Bashaija
26 September 2008
The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) is racing against time to raise funds to send a team to the World Half Marathon Championships due October 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
For the first time, UAF was hoping to send a women's team to the world event but financial hardships have put paid to their dream. "That trip is very costly. We shall announce our final decision soon but what I can confirm is that the women won't be traveling," UAF Publicity Secretary Namayo Mawerere said yesterday. "But for the men, there is hope. They have done well in the past and we shall try our best to get funds for their trip," he added.
The news won't go down well with the runners in particular Catherine Webombesa, who is having a good build-up ahead of the event. After finishing second in the National Half Marathon Championships in Sironko a fortnight ago, Webombesa grabbed the same position in a 10km international race in Caen, France over the weekend. The Uganda Peoples Defences Forces (UPDF) runner clocked 33 minutes and 42 seconds.
She is also scheduled to compete in the 10km Tours International Road Race this weekend where she is expected to face a tough African opposition from Kenya, Morocco and Burundi.
National champion Adero Nyakisi and Jane Suuto also had hopes of going to Brazil. Isaac Kiprop (below), Martin Toroitich, James Kibet and Moses Cherop will carry Uganda's flag in Rio de Janeiro if UAF secures funds.
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