Kipsiro doubtful for Africa Games

W. Nile championships
100m (women)
S. Ayikoru (Arua M) 12.3
D. Ajio (Ndejje) 13.1
400m
Lenia Sida (Arua) 58.4
S. Ayikoru (Arua ) 59.2
800m
A. Ayakaka (Arua) 2:27.4
A. Yesco (Arua) 2:28.2
100m (men)
M. Swaridehab (Arua)11.0
P. Nyakuni (Arua M) 11.1
800m
P.Kawoya (Arua) 1:59.3
S.Bakoole (Arua) 2:00.5

Moses Kipsiro is unlikely to defend his 10,000m gold at the All Africa Games due next month in Maputo, Mozambique. The Commonwealth Games double gold medallist is struggling with ill health, which has badly affected his fitness levels.

“I really don’t know if I will be fit to compete in Maputo,” the prized runner told Daily Monitor in a phone interview at the weekend. “I am just praying to be fine very soon but things are not good at the moment.”
Kipsiro won Uganda’s only track medal at the All Africa Games in Algeria four years ago and has since risen to become the best athlete in the country.

He made history by becoming the first runner to win a long distance double at the Commonwealth Games in over seven decades by romping to 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals in New Delhi, India last year.

But since the turn of the year, the 25-year-old has struggled to find his footing, recording unimpressive performances in the Samsung Diamond League.
“For quite some time, I have been unknowingly suffering from malaria and typhoid. I never felt sick but would tire easily in races,” Kipsiro, who also faces a race against time to compete at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, revealed.

Comeback
Several laboratory tests returned negative results until recently when the Bukwo-based runner was told he had to take medication and keep away from competition for some time.

He now hopes to make a comeback on track at the National Athletics Championships due July 22-23 at Namboole.

“I will come to Namboole to test my body and see how it reacts,” he said, “I will make a decision on whether to compete in Maputo after Namboole.”
If Kipsiro fails to make it to Maputo, Uganda’s chances of winning a medal at the event will be minimal.

Meanwhile, Arua District dominated the West Nile Region Athletics Championships held Saturday in Koboko.