Athletes cry foul over Namboole

The fourth national trials slated for Saturday were cancelled at the last minute due to unavailability of the stadium.

KAMPALA

The athletics fraternity is once again furious with the management of Namboole Stadium after they denied them access to the facility on Saturday.

Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) had to call off the fourth national trials on short notice to pave way for a four-day Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Co-operation’s counter terrorism course. “It’s a setback,” UAF publicist Namayo Mawere said. “There isn’t much we can do.”

Numerous athletes could not hide their frustrations with time running out for them to qualify for the World Championships due August in Moscow, Russia. “It’s very disappointing,” national female sprinter Mildred Gamba, who had hoped to compete in the 100m, long jump and shot put, said. “Must all functions be held in Namboole,” Gamba queried.

“Many runners use their own funds to meet training and travelling costs. Some travel to Kampala ahead of schedule from far and end up getting such disappointments.” Her male counterpart Ali Ngaimoko chipped in: “The athletics calendar is not respected. Hopes [of qualifying for Moscow] keep diminishing for many runners when such things happen.”

“When an athlete wins a medal everyone will celebrate but do they know what one goes through before reaching the podium?”

Last year, a religious crusade at Namboole forced UAF to hold the National Championships at the ragged Makerere University main ground track.

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