Cheptegei uses Christmas run to nurture talent

Kapchorwa. Seeing World Athletics champions hailing from the mountainous region of Sebei in the eastern region is not about to end.

This is because of the continued effort by Joshua Cheptegei, the three–time world champion and double Olympic champion to identify and nurture young talent.

During the launch of the seventh annual Christmas kids run at the Joshua Cheptegei Development Foundation offices in Kapchorwa Town at the weekend, Mr Cheptegei said the efforts are yielding results. 

"Most of the children from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions have represented Uganda in several competitions and still optimistic that we are yet to see more, we want to maintain this because it's now our identity," Cheptegei said. 

He said with facilities like the high altitude field and his junior school, the world anthletes champions will be flowing out of Sebei.

The athlete also called for consideration of alleviating Kapchorwa Municipality to a sports city status. 

"This region has represented Uganda to the world and we pray that the government improves facilities, including roads, which are in a very poor state. The only good tarmacked road is the main road to Mbale but most roads don't favour our athletes, " he said. 

This year's Christmas kids run is scheduled to take place on December 14, under the theme, “ Running for talent identification, education and cultural art integrated with creating awareness and solutions around gender- based violence”.

The races will include 2km for under 12 years both boys and girls, 3km for 14 and 5km for under 16 and a 5km walk race dedicated to fight against gender based violence (GBV).

Cheptegei said the run is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the scourge of GBV in the communities. 

“Formerly, we were known for circumcising women but now we want to tell our young generation that GBV is not called for. It’s also a reminder that we still have much work to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly women and girls,” he said.

Mr Abraham Kiplimo, the chief executive officer of Joshua Cheptegei Foundation, said the run is part of the Foundation’s core values of inspiring a new generation of athletes.

“This is the only chance the community of Sebei and Uganda at large has to benefit from the world champion, sharing a pitch with him and also getting a chance to showcase their talents and develop into professional athletes,” he said.

The vice president of the Uganda Athletics Federation, Mr Benjamin Njia, said marathons involving young generations who will replace the senior athletes needs to be embraced.

“This is the sure way of developing more athletes in the region,” he said. 

The Mayor of Kapchorwa Municipality, Mr Andrew Timothy Mangusho, revealed that they have plans to erect monuments in honour of their great athletes.

“As council, we have resolved to construct monuments at the entrance of Kapchorwa town and also at various points and public infrastructure be named after our athletes to honour them,” he said. 

The Foundation Board chairperson, Mr Anthony Kuka Cherotich, said mobilisation was already underway and many partners such as Stanbic Bank and United Nations Development Programme had already given them logistics for the day. 

He encouraged more well-wishers to give to the Foundation. 

The best athletes from every race get a scholarship at the Joshua Cheptegei Junior Academy, scholastic materials, and many other goodies. All female participants are also given sanitary pads and other goodies. Every participant walks away with a present from the many items prepared by the Foundation. 

Last year’s event attracted at least 5,000 people, including participants and spectators.

Partners of the run include UNDP, Tororo Cement, Stanbic Bank, Rockman Safaris, Macke, Softcare, URA, Nation Media Group, among others.