Kampala — Justine Bayigga believes that the opportunity is now for her to win an individual medal at a continental meet when she competes in the 17th edition of the Africa Athletics Championships that starts today in Nairobi.

The meet has attracted a record 812 athletes from 45 countries.

Her sprinting counterpart Ali Ngaimoko will also be looking for another opportunity to shine in the 100m, after missing out in the Pan African meet in Khartoum following the disappearance of his kit before the race.

The event sets off in the morning with qualifying track races and field events. It will be followed with the opening ceremony in the afternoon.

Uganda's contingent to the showcase arrived Sunday night by road ready to rise to the occasion against the heavyweights of Africa.

Bayigga, who has proved to be the region's top sprinting seed, will compete in her favourite 400m. Mildred Gamba will run in the women 100m sprint.

It will be Bayigga's third continental championships and though she comes with a lot of experience, she is yet to win any silverware in the biennial event.

But with coach Noah Ssengendo being part of the technical team and foreign managers watching her performance, Bayigga will be out to give her best in a season, where she has run below 53secs in most races.

"What we have been doing is to psychologically prepare the athletes. They are in good shape but when it comes to championships of this magnitude, they need more mental preparation," said Ssengendo.

Moses Kipsiro's chance of reclaiming the 10000m title he won in Mauritius, have been shelved to save the energy for his favourite and most competitive 5000m. The 10000m race comes before the 5000m.

He will leave the mantle to Geoffrey Kusuro and Stephen Kiprotich to battle in the 10000m today against a host of Kenyans and Ethiopians.

Uganda has entered a team of 27 athletes to the event that ends Sunday.