The Ugandan Athletics team has been flagged off on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, by the National Sports Council (NCS) officials for the World Athletics Championships, which will be held from August 19 to 27, 2023, in Hungary’s new National Athletics Centre.
The star-studded team Uganda has been headed by medalist Joshua Cheptegei, who is a two-time 10,000-metre world champion from 2019 and 2022, a world silver medalist from 2017, and the 2019 World Cross Country champion.
While speaking to journalists at NCS headquarters in Kampala, Cheptegei revealed that after his sweeping victories in Oregon in 2022, he is fueled with renewed vigour, and his sights are not just on Budapest but also on the horizon that lies beyond Paris 2024.
According to the World Athletics Championships final entry list released on August 15, 2023, more than 2100 athletes from 200 teams intending to compete at Hungary’s new National Athletics Centre have been confirmed.
The Ugandan team is composed of 9 female and 11 male athletes who are set to compete in different metres of the marathon.
The women’s team includes Halima Nakaayi (800m), Winnie Nanyondo (1500m), Peruth Chemutai (3000m SC), Sarah Chelangat (5k and 10k), Prisca Chesang (5000m), Stella Chesang (10000m), Doreen Chesang (marathon), Rebecca Cheptegei (marathon), and Mercyline Chelangat (marathon).
Whereas the male athletes are: Tarsis Orogot (200m), Tom Dradiga (800m), Salim Mayanja (1500m), Leonard Chemutai (3000m SC), Oscar Chelimo (5k), Cheptegei (5k, 10k), Rogers Kibet (10k), Joel Ayeko (10k), Kissa (marathon), Victor Kiplangat (marathon), and Andrew Rotich (marathon).
