Teenager Watmon vows to pick more Uspa gongs

Watmon jumped 15.05m in March to bag silver at the Youth meet in Warri, Nigeria.

Triple jumper Felix Watmon believes the Rwenzori-Uspa personality of the month accolade he won in March will spur him to fight for more medals in future.
The 17-year-old won a silver medal in triple jump at the inaugural African Youth Track And Field Championships held in Warri, Nigeria.
Watmon jumped 15.05m to beat Nigerians, Egyptians and Moroccans to the medal bracket while the winner who settled for gold jumped 15:14m.
“I was shocked when l was told that l had won the Uspa award when l came back from Nigeria,” said the senior three student from Gombe Secondary School.

“I would like to thank Uspa and Rwenzori for the award and l promise to be back on this podium for more wards because this is a big motivation for me to win more medals.”

Any medal for a Ugandan in any jump, is like a miracle and apart from Sarah Nambawa, Uganda hasn’t produced any recognizable jumper internationally.

Watmon’s Coach Jimmy Mande Odongkara, who’s preparing the youngster for the World Youth Athletics Championship in Kiev, Ukraine scheduled for July 10-14, lauded Uspa’s contribution of promoting talent.
“This award means a lot and it’s going to be a drive for this boy,” explained Odongkara in his closing remarks.
“I thank Uspa for recognising and promoting talent because this is the only motivating factor for these young boys.”

Watmon received a plague and Shs0.5m at a dinner organised by the sponsors and Uspa at Lugogo Tennis Club on Friday.

awasike@ug.nationmedia.com