Regional event cancelled over Kenya polls

Only Ethiopia and Uganda were in position to field teams.

The Eastern Africa Cross-country Championships will not take place at Jinja Chairman’s Park on Saturday as earlier scheduled.

Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), who were to stage the event said it could not go ahead because of next week’s elections in Kenya.

Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya and hosts Uganda had earlier confirmed participation. “Kenyan athletes have to vote. It might also be difficult for the Tanzanians to cross the Kenyan border in case of chaos after the elections,” UAF publicist Namayo Mawerere said.

Meanwhile, Nathan Ayeko was Uganda’s best performer after finishing 28th at the Jan Meda Cross-country in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last Saturday.

odongoj@ug.nationmedia.com