Uganda’s contingent at the ongoing Youth Games in Dakar Senegal received a huge boost on Wednesday following the arrival of the athletics team and the lone cyclist. The athletics team carries a huge burden of expectation as Uganda still chases for their first medal at the games.
Uganda athletes who have been in action before have put up commendable performances but podium finishes have remained elusive with runners carrying huge hopes.
This is the 4th edition of the Games, and all of Uganda’s medals at the previous three editions have come from athletics.
Zakaria Kiprotich won bronze in the boys 2000m Steeplechase (Singapore 2010), Geoffrey Balimumiti grabbed silver in the 800m (Nanjing 2014), Sarah Chelangat won gold in the girls 3000m (Buenos Aires 2018) while Oscar Chelimo managed a boys 3000m gold (Buenos Aires 2018).
The athletics team comprises Michael Kibet, Timothy Cheptoyek, Baskaline Cherotwo, Rachel Chelimo and Keren Chelimo.
Ali Ssali will be hitting the road in cycling as the solo Uganda representative.
The athletics programme starts on Sunday at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop, on the same day as the cycling commences along the Route de la Corniche Ouest.
Meanwhile, Peterson Inhensiko did not progress in the men’s 50m freestyle, having touched in 24.73 seconds to finish second, just 0.40 seconds behind the heat winner.
He returned to the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf pool for the 50m butterfly heats, clocking 27.33 seconds for a fourth-place finish.
Earlier, Zara Marie Mbanga was in the first of two 200m IM heats. She finished fifth in her heat with a 2:35.56 personal best.
