Norman Katende
19 March 2011
MOSES Kipsiro is determined to help Uganda win her first gold medal in the World Cross country championships. The event will take place at the Coastal City of Punta Umbria, Spain.
Kipsiro, who won a bronze medal in last year’s event in Bydgoszcz, Poland and a silver medal in Amman, Jordan in 2009 is ready to keep his promise of striking gold at the World cross country championships.
He promised this after striking double gold at the Commonwealth Games that were held in India last year.
“Man those athletes are tough, but I will also plan for them,” said Kipsiro, who rarely comments about the race.
He is expected to use the services of Stephen Kiprotich, Geoffrey Kusuro and Moses Kibet -athletes who have matured through the youth ranks to junior and now senior level for back up. Although Kipsiro suffered from a knee injury before the national cross country championships held in Jinja last month, he believes that there is a window to succeed this time. Uganda has won gold in all the other IAAF events save for the cross country and Indoor events. “This is a big stage. It is not about the history but how you plan,” said Kipsiro on his chances of winning.
“For the first time I can say that most of our athletes are eyeing medals,” said national coach Benjamin Longiross.
Negesa confident
After walking through the world cross country route on Friday, the women’s captain Annet Negesa said: “It has grass all through and few obstacles. It is the best I have come across,” she added.
The national team arrived here in batches on Friday, but Longiross is not worried about the time spent on the journey.
Today, Live on SS7
World X-Country schedule
J.Women: 1.30pm, (6km)
Junior men: 2pm, (8km)
S.Women: 2:45pm, (8km)
Senior Men: 3:40pm, (12km)
National team
Senior women: Janet Achola, Juliet Chekwel, Viola Chemos, Annet Negesa, Rebecca Cheptagei
Junior women: Nancy Cheptagei, Fanis Chemutai, Stella Chesang, D.Sande
Senior men: Moses Kipsiro, Stephen Kiprotich, Dickson Huru, Geoffrey Kusuro and Moses Kibet
Junior men: Peter Kibet, Jacob Araptany, Daniel Rotich, Philip Kipyego, Thomas Ayeko
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Uganda: Hunt for Gold