Makerere’s Bwaga eyes ticket to London Para Games
Bwaga is part of a group that has given up on the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships which get underway tomorrow in London. File photo
What you need to know:
- Bwaga, a journalism student at Makerere, said he has rescheduled his timetable to the evening program, to allow him more training time.
- Other stars to watch are Joseph Tebandeke and Richard Ochira who dominated the wheelchair races, Daniel Opio (5000m), Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Simon Peter Etabu, among others.
- Conversely Kyambogo University students face a tough choice between their exams and this all-important event on Saturday afternoon.
KAMPALA. Makerere University’s sprinter Bashir Bwaga is on course to redemption with an eye on the forthcoming World Para Athletics Championships in London following a dismal performance in the 2015 All-Africa Games in Congo-Brazzaville.
Bwaga, a double-arm amputee, did not run as many races as his colleagues at Namboole on Tuesday but he was just perfect to win the 100m-T47 race in 11:63 seconds, which is already a qualification time. Because this was a warmup event, Bwaga promised to return here Saturday for the major national trials in even better form. He is eyeing a place in the national camp ahead of the London Games in July.
“I have done well today but I must maintain or improve on the form because I’m dreaming big,” he said. “I want to win a medal in London, and perhaps another in Tokyo (Paralympics).”
Bwaga, a journalism student at Makerere, said he has rescheduled his timetable to the evening program, to allow him more training time. He seeks to redeem his career after failing in the 400m and 200m heats in Brazzaville 2015, yet his favourite 100m race was cancelled because of few entries.
Other stars to watch are Joseph Tebandeke and Richard Ochira who dominated the wheelchair races, Daniel Opio (5000m), Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Simon Peter Etabu, among others. Conversely Kyambogo University students face a tough choice between their exams and this all-important event on Saturday afternoon.
