The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) is celebrating a momentous milestone in 2025, 100 years of selling athletics excellence within the nation.
As a part of this year-long centenary celebration, the Federation is gearing as much as host the thirty first Version of the Nationwide Cross-Nation Championships in Tororo, set to happen on Saturday, February eighth, 2025, on the scenic Tororo Golf Course.
This version is especially important as it’s each a celebration of UAF’s wealthy historical past and a showcase of the nation’s continued athletic prowess on the worldwide stage.
The theme for this milestone yr is “Celebrating and Sustaining Athletics Excellence,” and the cross-country occasion epitomizes this imaginative and prescient.
Cross-country working has been integral to Uganda’s success in worldwide athletics, with the nation’s athletes persistently rating among the many greatest on the earth.
At present, Uganda is ranked third globally in cross-country working, following athletic powerhouses Kenya and Ethiopia.
This locations Uganda in a robust place to proceed producing top-tier expertise, and the 2025 Championships in Tororo are anticipated to unearth new champions from among the many rivals.
The occasion can also be a vital choice stage for the East African Cross-Nation Championships (EAAR) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, later in February.
Furthermore, it serves as a stepping stone for the thirty second version of the Nationwide Cross-Nation Championships, which is able to happen in Tororo on November twenty second, 2025.
This future championship might be a key qualifier for the World Cross-Nation Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, in January 2026.
As Uganda Athletics Federation President, Mr. Dominic Otuchet, remarked, “We’re enthusiastic about this occasion as a result of, as I knowledgeable the nation final time, we’re geared as much as rejoice 100 years of our existence as a nationwide federation, from 1925 to at the moment, 2025, 100 years.”
UAF President, Dominic Otuchet
Photograph Credit score : Each day Monitor.
He emphasised that the Federation’s journey has been one among development and achievement, with Ugandan athletes boasting world data, gold medals in World Cross-Nation occasions, and success at each Commonwealth Video games and Olympic Video games.
“We’re the one federation in Uganda, by the best way, to supply gold medals in Olympic Video games. 5 of them, all from UAF as a federation,” he proudly said.
The upcoming thirty first version of the Nationwide Cross-Nation Championships is anticipated to showcase the very best of Uganda’s rising expertise, with well-attended regional championships having already taken place in Kapchorwa, Kabarole, Arua, and Kabale.
These regional occasions have paved the best way for the athletes who will compete in Tororo, making the occasion an thrilling alternative for followers to see contemporary faces and potential future champions.
In recognition of the centenary, UAF is planning a number of initiatives all year long to focus on its legacy and promote continued success.
One of many main occasions would be the Aki Bua Memorial Championships, which is able to happen on June 1st, 2025, at Namboole Stadium.
Athletes having a relaxation after coaching at Mandela Nationwide Stadium in Namboole.
The Federation may also host a dinner to honour its legends, athletes, officers, and companions at a venue to be introduced.
In his deal with, Mr. Otuchet additionally prolonged gratitude to UAF’s many supporters. “I wish to commend our athletes for his or her glorious efficiency, and I wish to thank our stakeholders, starting with my colleagues, the members of the board, and the athletics federation for doing a superb job.” He notably acknowledged the invaluable position of the media in publicizing Ugandan athletics and thanked the Authorities of Uganda, together with President Museveni, First Woman Mama Janet Museveni, and Minister of Sports activities Peter Ogwang, for his or her unwavering assist of the Federation’s efforts.
UAF has additionally positioned a robust emphasis on guaranteeing clear competitors. The Federation has applied strict anti-doping measures, together with in-competition testing in the course of the Tororo occasion.
Moreover, stringent registration protocols are in place to forestall age manipulation within the athletes’ ranks.
The Competitions Fee has launched measures requiring athletes to supply nationwide identification numbers, learner identification numbers, and images for verification.
This yr’s occasion is an invite for all Ugandans, each from Tororo and past, to witness the nation’s elite athletes in motion.
With free entry to the golf course, residents from Tororo, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, and different surrounding areas are inspired to return out and assist the athletes.
The Federation can also be urging athletes to deliver their households and buddies to benefit from the pleasure of the Championships.
As Mr. Otuchet concluded, “We wish to see your entire nation rally behind athletics and rejoice our excellent athletes, as we proceed to construct on our legacy and encourage future generations.”
