Pride of a nation

Home Comfort. Kipyeko (L), Ronald Musagala (2nd L), Cheptegei (C), Zena (2nd R) and Esther Chekwemoi are all Ugandan champions in their respective categories. They will be expected to put up decisive displays at Kololo Independence Grounds today. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

What you need to know:

  • Joshua Cheptegei will carry Uganda’s biggest hopes for a medal and should he win the senior men’s 10km race, the 20-year-old will become the fourth man after Belgian Mohammed Mourhit (2001), Portuguese Carlos Lopes (1985) and Irishman John Treacy (1979) to bag gold on home soil in World Cross-country.

The countdown is over. Some 859 days after winning the bid to host, Uganda will stage the biggest sports competition ever - the IAAF World Cross-country Championships at Kololo this afternoon.

A total 559 from 59 nations will seek to bask in glory across five events in presence of IAAF president Sebastian Coe.
No moment provides a greater sense of belief that Uganda can deliver its greatest performance in front of its home crowd.
Uganda’s major hope for an individual medal is with the senior men’s team. In-form Joshua Cheptegei is the nation’s prospect for gold.

The 2014 World University X-country winner warmed up for this event by winning his first National X-country title and the Juan Muguerza Meeting in Spain two months ago.

“Since the Kololo course is flat, all work has been on improving speed and negotiating corners. I leave the rest to God,” said the 20-year-old in a recent exclusive interview.

The 2014 World junior 10,000m champion could afford a smile while jogging at Kololo on Friday but he must beat huge odds as Uganda has never won any gold in a similar meet. The East African nation boasts of a combined 19 medals with four silver and 15 bronze. Uganda last won an individual medal six years ago - Thomas Ayeko’s junior silver in Punta Umbria, Spain.

Yet, Cheptegei must beat training partner and favourite Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya, who is seeking a second successive title.

Star-studded affair
2014 Africa X-country winner Leonard Barsoton, Ethiopians; Getaneh Molla and Edris Muktar are also Cheptegei’s rivals on the day looking to stop him from becoming the fourth man to win this global title on home soil.

But the Ugandan who usurped Kamworor over 10,000m at the Rio Olympics, has strong backing from teammates; 2016 African silver medalist Phillip Kipyeko, Abdallah Mande and Stephen Kissa.

The X-Factor will be provided by Stephen Kiprotich who returns to the showpiece after a five-year sabbatical. He will be hoping to deliver specks of what got him the 2012 Olympic and 2013 World marathon titles.

Like Kiprotich, captain Timothy Toroitich will also want show his experience at his fifth appearance.

For the women, national champion Racheal Zena Chebet leads the senior women’s 10km charge where Kenyan Agnes Tirop is fancied to retain her title.

2016 World junior 10,000m bronze medalist Jacob Kiplimo and 2015 Commonwealth Youth double silver medalist Peruth Chemutai lead the junior men and women’s quest.

PRIZE MONEY LIST
INDIVIDUAL RACES (SENIOR EVENTS)
1st: $30,000 (Shs108m)
2nd: $15,000 (Shs54m)
3rd: $10,000 (Shs36m)
4th: $7,000 (Shs25.2m)
5th: $5,000 (Shs18m)
6th: $3,000 (Shs10.8m)
TEAM RACES
1st: $20,000 (Shs72m)
2nd: $16,000 (Shs57.6m)
3rd: $12,000 (Shs43.2m)
4th: $10,000 (Shs36m)
5th: $8,000 (Shs28.8m)
6th: $4,000 (Shs14.4m)
MIXED RELAY RACE
1st: $12,000 (Shs43.2m)
2nd: $8,000 (Shs28.8m)
3rd: $6,000 (Shs21.6m)
4th: $4,000 (Shs14.4m)

TODAY ON SUPERSPORT
2.30pm: Junior women’s race (6km)
3.10pm: Junior men’s race (8km)
3.55pm: Senior women’s race (10km)
4.55pm: Senior men’s race (10km)
*Live on SS6 & SS9 starting at 1.45pm