Excitement in Tororo as national championships loom

There is a sense of excitement hovering over the eastern town of Tororo ahead of the National Cross Country Championships.

Saturday’s eagerly awaited event will be held at Tororo Golf Course with 510 athletes confirmed to be in action.

According to the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) president Domenic Otucet, that number is a record high in the history of the championships.

Sudan, Djibouti and Tanzania have each sent a contingent to compete.

Now, with the hype the championships bring about, residents in Tororo and the neighbouring areas have expressed their joy and expectations.

They see this as an opportunity for their children to learn from the very best in athletics, as Evelyn Abbo, a resident of Kasipodo village, Kayoro sub-county in Tororo county explained.

“I think this is an opportunity for the young people around. We have untapped athletics talent in Tororo but they do not have anyone to inspire them.”

“I strongly believe that the event will draw big names of the game on Saturday and children will relish the moment for their own career development,” Abbo said.

Abbo, an ardent athletics fan, added “The only established athlete we had before in Tororo was Pascal Owori who did well in the late 90s and early 2000s and is currently based in Germany where he coaches academies.”

She also sees this as an opportunity to meet and greet the top athletes in Uganda and the neighbouring countries.

Joseph Awaka who is an amateur runner based in Tororo says they too will want to use the home advantage to put up a good show.

Some of the homegrown talent expected to star include Janat Yamusobo who will compete in the 2km mixed race, Aramanzani Sajjabi who will run in 10km and Joshua Ouma from Bugiri.

Others are Bernard Wandera in the 10km race and Christine Nabwire who will be in the senior women category.

Another ecstatic resident, David Ofwono Apiauni of Kasipodo village, expects the championships to create and spur the entire Bukedi sub-region into professional running.

“I am so excited because this is very interesting as it will inspire not only the children of Tororo but the entire Bukedi sub-region,” Apiauni remarked.

Apiauni also expects business to boom before and during the championships especially hospitality, eateries and other related sectors within and around Tororo.

Some of the top athletes aspiring for greatness in Tororo include Peruth Chemutai, Sarah Chelangat and Paralympian David Emong.

Others include national marathon record holder Felix Chemonges Malewa, Agnes Amuron and Belinda Chemutai.

Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei will also travel to Tororo but only as spectators due to their upcoming international engagements.