Joshua Cheptegei claimed the men’s 3000m race at the Ostrava Golden Spike despite coming short of the Daniel Komen’s World Record.

The 24-year-old Ugandan ran 07:33:24 to cross the tape in first place followed by USA’s Paul Chelimo (07:41:69) in second place at the Městský Stadium.

Cheptegei upstaged a field of 10 runners including fellow Ugandan Oscar Chelimo who crossed the tape third in a time 7:43:00.

The 10,000m world record holder was guided by pacing lights throughout the race, initially alongside pacesetters Richard Douma of Netherlands and Australian Stewart Mc Sweyn.

Douma and Stewart dropped off before the final two laps as Cheptegei tried to cover for the gap between him and the lights.

The Kapchorwa-based star eventually crossed the finish line – setting a personal best (PB) – also an improvement from his previous record of 7:33.26.

Golden Spike Ostrava 2021 – Men’s 3000m – Race Results

1. Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 07:33.24 – WL, PB
2. Paul Chelimo (USA) 07:41.69 – SB
3. Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 07:43.00 – PB
4. Seán Tobin (IRL) 07:49.37 – SB
5. Isaac Kimeli (BEL) 07:49.47 – SB
6. Andreas Vojta (AUT) 07:49.75 – PB
7. Abdessamad Oukhelfen (ESP) 08:07.68 – SB
8. Vojtěch Král (CZE) 08:20.61 – SB

Onduparaka head coach Vialli Bainomugisha feels the club’s special treatment by telecom Giants MTN Uganda is driving the club forward.

MTN Uganda are the main sponsors of the Uganda Premier League outfit and have sustained their support over the years. 

The CAF “B” licensed tactician openly expressed gratitude towards the telecommunications company.

“Onduparaka Football Club is a club driven by the passion of the fans since its founding days. Fans motivate the players and exert the necessary pressure for the team to perform well,” he said.

“The club is also happy and grateful for the support that MTN Uganda has extended as the official sponsor. 

“We are also very thrilled that our dear sponsors still believe in us and that they are extending our contract. We promise to keep shining in this 2020/2021 season.”

On Tuesday, 02 February 2021, MTN Uganda announced the renewal of its sponsorship contract with the West Nile-based club hitherto tagged as the Caterpillars.

The renewed sponsorship deal from MTN also entailed the unveiling of a specially designed new jersey for the football club for the 2020/2021 season with the selves having a traditional fabric exhibiting the cultural heritage attached to the club.

MTN Uganda has sponsored Onduparaka since the 2017/18 season and will continue sponsoring the Arua-based club for another year.

Somdev Sen, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer highlighted MTN’s intentions to continue supporting local sports across the country.

Somdev was addressing the media during a special press conference held at Hotel Africana in the heart of the Ugandan capital city, Kampala.

“As the biggest supporter of local sport in Uganda, MTN has over the last 22 years, committed to the growth and development of local football in Uganda,” Somdev said. 

“This continued sponsorship of the West Nile-based football club that rose from the ashes of turmoil to join the top football league in Uganda is a further demonstration that indeed we are good together.”

To further support the club especially now that the fans are not allowed into the pitch because of Covid 19, MTN will run “Predict and win challenges” for all Onduparaka FC games where fans will predict how many goals Onduparaka FC would score during the game, during the month and the entire season and stand to win several prizes such as MTN data.

Ugandan athlete Joshua Cheptegei has been listed by World Athletics as one of the stars that are likely to light up the Tokyo Olympics.

The Kapchorwa based athlete was fronted as an A-lister following a successful 2020 in long distance.

Despite the year being blighted by Coronavirus that the games got postponed, Cheptegei broke three records.

According to Olympic Channel, “The emergence of double distance world record holder Joshua Cheptegei should spice up the two longest track events.

“The Ugandan hopes to be the man to return the 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic titles back to the region after Mo Farah ended the reign of Ethiopian and Kenyan runners over the distances.”

Records broken by Cheptegei in 2020

He started with the 5 km Herculis in Monaco, setting a new world record of 12:51 – a 27 second improvement from Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto’s 13:18.

He then ran 12:35:36 to break Kenenisa Bekele’s 5000m world record set in 2004 at the Monaco Diamond League meeting on August 14th.

He also smashed Bekele’s 15-year old 10,000m world record of 2005 at the NN Valencia World Record Day, Estadio de Atletismo del Turia, Valencia on October 7th.

MTN sponsored Joshua Cheptegei currently holds the world road 5 km record set at a road race in Monaco when he posted 12:51 in 2020.

In this kind of distance, the Kapchorwa based athlete is a star and now consultant on the different dynamics surrounding good performances.

The Tokyo Olympics bound 24-year-old lists some of the most important things one has to check before setting out to race on the road.

Cheptegei explains how best one can be best prepare in this order via the World Athletics Twitter platform;

1. “First and foremost, you need to have the right gear, especially the running shoes so as to prevent being injured.”
2. “If you are doing a hour plus run, you will need some water with you. You will need to have some food like two hours before the race.”
3. “Not only running on the roads will help you run faster but also running off the roads. Easy runs are very important for purpose of recovery.”
4. “The last three weeks of your preparation slow down. This will give you time to save your energy and to get ready for the race.”
5. “Tip number five. The most important is enjoy yourself. Good luck in your race!”

Want to improve your road running?

Try these five tips from 5km world record holder @joshuacheptege1 🇺🇬 pic.twitter.com/nkIK3p1Cut

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 12, 2021

• Event: Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations
• Date: May 23-29, 2021
• Host: Saly, Senegal

The Uganda National Beach Soccer team, the Sand Cranes, left the country for Senegal ahead of the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.

The Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations will be played from May 23-29 in the coastal city of Saly.

Uganda’s team that has three goalkeepers, six defenders, and as many forwards departed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The team is rich in experience with the likes of goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige, Douglas Muganga, Sulaiman Ochero, Emmanuel Alex Wasswa, and Ismail Kawawulo.

FUFA Executive Committee member Hamid Juma leads the delegation which also has Deo Mutabazi (Uganda Beach Soccer Association chairman) and Anthony Tumwesigye.

The Sand Cranes are in Group A alongside Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania and hosts Senegal.

“We have had good training for the championship and we expect to compete at the tournament. The players are in the right mood mentally and physically,” said Jamal Salim Muwonge, the Sand Cranes head coach.

Full Team

Goalkeepers: Meddie Kibirige (St. Lawrence University BSC), Nasser Lwamunda (Kiringente BSC), Ronald Mutebi (St. Lawrence University BSC)

Defenders: Paul Lule (Buganda Royal BSC), Davis Kasujja (MUBS BSC), Douglas Muganga (MUBS BSC), Rica Byaruhanga (St Lawrence University BSC), Jonathan Kikonyogo (St. Lawrence University BSC), Suleiman Ochero (St. Lawrence University BSC)

Forwards: Ismail Kawawulo (MUBS BSC), Baker Lukooya (St. Lawrence University BSC), Alex Emmanuel Wasswa (St. Lawrence University BSC), Swalley Ssimbwa (St. Lawrence University BSC), Ambrose Kigozi (Buganda Royal BSC), Ronald Magwali (Buganda Royal BSC)

Officials

• Leader of Delegation: Hamid Juma
• Head coach: Salim Jamal Muwonge
• Assistant Coach: Bashir Mutyaba
• UBSA Chairman: Deo Mutabazzi
• UBSA Delegate: Anthony Tumwesigye
• Team Doctor: Ivan Kulika
• Team Coordinator: Tonny Ssebagala
• Media Officer: Julius Mutebi Bazzeketta
• FUFA Secretariat: Isaac Natukunda

Joshua Cheptegei is raring to have a go at the 3000m world record at the Golden Spike in Ostrava on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Ugandan will be attempting to break Daniel Komen‘s legendary 7:20.67 world record which has stood for nearly 25 years.

Cheptegei’s agent Jurrie van der Velden believes the world champion will have to run his ultimate best to flip the record but he’s confident of a possible new world record.

“It’s a big ask for Joshua to break [the 3,000-meter world record]. We have to be realistic about that but we believe it’s possible with the training he’s done. It will be the toughest attempt for him thus far,” van der Velden told LetsRun.com.

Ahead of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, Cheptegei spoke of the world record so highly. He told NNRunning Team; “I watched Daniel Komen’s World Record a couple of times and multiple times per year. What he did is a really special and exceptional performance. So many big names tried, that shows that’s it’s a tough record to break.”

The Kapchorwa based runner, who last year set world records over 5000m and 10,000m, has previously posted 7:33.26 as his best over the distance while the meeting record is 7:31.66.

Cheptegei will be guided by pacing lights that will run along the track throughout the race, running alongside Australian 3,000m record holder Stewart McSweyn, who owns a PB of 7:28.02.

FIBA has made a decision on the fate of the AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers games in Group E that were not played during the last window due to health-related reasons.

Uganda’s Silverbacks were due to face Egypt, Morocco, and Cape Verde in February to complete the qualification process.

However, FIBA took the decision to postpone Uganda’s second leg games due to Covid-19 after five members of the Silverbacks tested positive for the virus.

In a communication made today, the basketball governing body has set a time period within which the games will be played.

According to a statement released, the games will be played between June 15 and July 15 at a venue yet to be determined.

“Following the postponement of Uganda’s games in application of the COVID-19 Protocol for FIBA Official National Team and Club Competitions and the advice of its Medical Commission, the pending Group E Uganda games, Uganda – Egypt, Morocco – Uganda and Cape Verde – Uganda, will be played between June 15 and July 15, 2021 at a venue to be decided,” reads the FIBA statement in part.

Despite winning two games in the first leg, the Silverbacks are currently at the bottom of Group E based on the fact that they haven’t played the second leg of the qualifiers.

With the Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier Leagues done and dusted, the focus for Uganda Rugby Union shifts to the international season.

The fifteens international season starts in next month. Rugby Cranes will play Kenya in the annual Elgon Cup as well as Ghana and Algeria in July in the Rugby Africa Cup 2021 which will also double as a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifier.

The national team management has summoned 72 players for a training camp that starts on Saturday, May 22 at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds.

Brian Makalama and Pirates head coach Bobby Musinguzi will be in charge of the team.

Summoned Players

Steven Kinyera, Francis Mukundane, Allan Alango, Daniel Nshiyimana, Zachariah Bol,David Agassi, Morgan Odoch, Collins Kimbowa, Saul Kivumbi, Brian Odongo, Wilobo Mukili, Faragi Odugo, Trevor Maina, Jude Juuko, Robert Aziku, Emmaneul Ecodu, Arthur Mpande, Brian Asaba, Aaron Jurua, Josiah Ssempeke, James Ijongat, Derrick Tukwasibwe,Edgar Seruwagi, Justin Kimon, Alhaji Manano, Conrad Mukwaya, Daudi Ssemwami, Karim Arinaitwe,Ivan Kabagambe, Kenneth Matovu, Nathan Bwambale, Sunday Jaguar, Abel Agum, Frank Kidega, Sydney Gongodyo, Moses Ziwa, Isaac Rujumba, Stephen Alul, Conrad Wanyama, Ivan Magomu, Timothy Odongo, Timothy Kisiga, Haruna Muhammad, Amos Asimile, Spencer Muhiirwe, Santos Ssenteze, Ronald Kanyanya , Aziz Khan, Scott Oluoch, Paul Epilo, Jordan Bongomin, Innocent Gwokto, Claude Otema, Sean Mubiru, Peter Bisaso, Jacob Ocen, James Okello, Charles Tomusange, John Echeru, Tawfiq Bagalana, Maxwell Ebonga, Denis Etwau, Aziz Bagalana, Eliphaz Emong, Brian Oroma, Joachim Chissano, Andrew Olweny, Edgar Kairu, David Patrick Ntambazi Semu, Samuel Wamala, Mark Omoding and Nicholas Kato.

2020 is the year remembered for the most devastating effect of the Coronavirus across the world. About 3.84 million people died from the disease.

Athletics came to halt with several events postponed most notably the Tokyo Olympics that were extended to from 23 July to 8 August 2021 from 24 July to 9 August 2020.

Meanwhile earlier in 2019, Kiplimo’s was doing just fine when he won silver just four seconds behind Joshua Cheptegei at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus.

He however suffered a injury blow after the Great Manchester Run in May when he developed a pain beneath his knee that ruled him out for four months.

He consequently missed the World Championships in Doha as Cheptegei took 10,000m gold.

Later that year Kiplimo returned for the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in October, where he helped pace Eliud Kipchoge around the streets of Vienna.

2020 then started on a promising note but the challenges brought by the Coronavirus pandemic meant Kiplimo had to wait till September 8 at the 59th Ostrava Golden Spike, Mestský Stadion, Ostrava.

He claimed gold at the 3000m event in 12:48.63 before heading for Rome Diamond League where he beat Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega to win with 7:26.64 on September 17.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has confirmed the 2021 National Basketball League will tip-off on Saturday, April 17.

Seven-time champions City Oilers taking on Nam Blazers in the highlight game of the opening weekend.

FUBA released the regular season fixtures on Wednesday and league newcomers Namuwongo Blazers have been straight away thrown into the deep end.

Ten men’s teams will compete for glory as Warriors and Sharing Youths opted out of the season, while only eight teams will compete in the women’s division, and missing are former champions A1 Challenge and UMU Ravens.

According to the fixture, the single-leg regular season will be played until June 5 at Uganda Christian University in Mukono and Kampala International University in Kansanga.

2021 NBL Opening Weekend Fixtures

Saturday, April 17 (KIU Court)

• Men: Ndejje Angels Vs KCCA Panthers – 9am
• Women: Nkumba Ladies Vs Nabisunsa – 11am
• Men: KIU Titans Vs Betway Power – 1pm
• Women: JKL Lady Dolphins Vs KCCA Leopards – 3pm
• Men: City Oilers Vs Nam Blazers – 5pm

Sunday, April 18 (UCU Courts)

•  Women: KIU Rangers Vs Magic Stormers – 12pm
• Men: Sharing Youth Vs Falcons – 12pm
• Women: Angels Vs UCU Lady Canons – 2pm
• Men: UPDF Tomahawks Vs JKL Dolphins – 3pm
• Women: UCU Canons Vs Warriors – 5pm