Heroes given VVIP treatment

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Commonwealth Games. There was some pomp and flair as the Gold Coast Games contingent returned from Australia but it wasn’t without flaws.
Nearly three quarters of journalists were barred from accessing the VVIP Zone while some parents of medallists were involved in scuffles with airport security.

KAMPALA.

A change from the usual way of welcoming sports’ medalists and contingents deterred Team Uganda the best of receptions from the just-concluded Commonwealth Games at Entebbe yesterday.
Following an 18-hour journey from the Gold Coast in Queensland, a 93-man batch arrived at the Entebbe International Airport off two afternoon flights separated by 45 minutes.
Normally, past returning gold medalists like Moses Kipsiro and Stephen Kiprotich are given a grand welcome at the main Airport but it wasn’t the case this time.
Team Uganda, returning with three golds out of six medals across 11 disciplines - the best performance in 48 years of the Games - was instead kept away upon disembarking and diverted to the VVIP airport where they were received by Education Minister and First Lady Janet Museveni at 3:14pm.
By then, only 12 journalists from over 50 had been granted permission to the runway as fans, relatives and friends from Sebei region of medalists Joshua Cheptegei, Solomon Mutai, Stella Chesang and Mercyline Chelangat we’re locked out, eagerly waiting far away behind the VVIP airport gate.
Back in, as the Police band played, Rugby Cranes captain Micheal Wokorach handed Hon. Museveni the national flag before double gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei shook her hands, the rest of the athletes and officials following.
But a few minutes after the anthems, the large crowd from Sebei region had found their way to the tarmac, lifting the medalists in the air as they chanted with more relief than awe.
In the same moment, a minor scuffle ensued between them and the army at the airport, later letting the quartet join the batch for the press conference.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Team Uganda head of delegation Patrick Ogwel.
The country’s medal haul ensured Uganda was the fourth best African nation and 15th overall out of 71 nations in Australia.
“I want to thank you Chief Guest (First Lady) and the President that you managed to help us get to Australia and perform.
“We hope you support us for the next Games in Tokyo 2020 and Birmingham 2022,” Ogwel added before State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi highlighted the Gold Coast moments.

“We were not many in Australia but we could shout and showed solidarity especially during the netball matches,” he said. “We had a dinner with Uganda’s community in Australia. The negative mindset they’ve had about the country after taking long to come here was changed.” he added.
Chief guest First Lady Museveni was overly delighted. “Team Uganda, welcome home. We celebrate you. We salute you for what you have done. We thank God because he stood with you and took you there. And now, you have opened the eyes of Ugandans that we have to think big.”
With her right first bump emphasizing, she added: “God listens and He wants you to work hard because He said from the very beginning that we will earn from our sweat. You earned us a lot of pride as a country. We wish we could provide more and better. For those that have not won, we hope for next time.”
Cheptegei, who powered to gold in the 5000m and 10000m, was given a chance to speak after the speeches.
“Our neighbors the Kenyans left us in the stadium celebrating. We have set a mark and I hope the same can continue to Tokyo 2020 (Olympics),” he reminisced the Carrara Stadium memories.
Cheptegei, marathon silver medalist Mutai, 10000m champion and bronze medalist Chesang and Chelangat as well as bronze medalist Juma Miiro led a convoy as they waved at people while showing off medals, putting business to a stand still along Entebbe Road to Kampala.
The team will be treated to a State Dinner on Sunday.