Ugandan runner stabbed by thugs

Egadu unconscious for 48 hours after being attacked by four thugs in New York, USA.

Kampala

Ugandan sprinter Samuel Egadu is nursing serious injuries after he was attacked by four thugs in New York on Friday night.

Egadu, a former 200m/400m national champion, said he was stabbed three times on the head while returning from work. “I was unconscious for 48 hours,” he said in a message to this writer. “I am badly injured with three cuts on the back head. I have sight problems and will need treatment on my eyes for close to two months.”

The runner’s former coach James Mugeni said he learnt of the incident from message exchanges but had not spoken to him. “He sent me a message saying he had suffered a broken jaw. He was hoping to be discharged today (yesterday),” the Tororo-based Fame Athletics Club coach said on phone. Spotted by Mugeni in 2004, Egadu was voted best upcoming local youth athlete in 2005 and represented Uganda at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and 2007 All Africa Games.

He later moved to America to study and further his career. His hopes to qualify for last year’s Olympics, however, suffered a setback after he failed to secure the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship. But he had vowed to soldier on and make it back to the top.

“I will keep working hard. I am determined to excel at the highest level despite the challenges,” the 24-year-old said, emphasising that Ugandan sports authorities had sabotaged his efforts to secure the Solidarity scholarship, which guarantees runners of funding and access to classy training facilities.

The attack could also have ended his track season that includes the World Championships before it even starts.

sbashaija@ug.nationmedia.com