Nile Special USPA Monthly Awards 2023:

• Best of February: Jacob Kiplimo (Long distance athlete)
• Promising Talent Award: Eric Ofoyuru (Badminton)
• Supportive / Assist Award: Nick Natuhereza (Basketball)

The Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) convened the monthly assembly on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala city.

Jacob Kiplimo unanimously won the USPA/Nile Special Sports personality for February 2023.

This followed his gold medal won at the 2023 World Cross Country Championship in Bathurst city, Australia where another Ugandan, Joshua Cheptegei finished third to take bronze.

Commendations:

The assembly recommended Badminton teenager Mohammed Fadilah Shamikah Raif, the Gazelles (female basketball national team) as well as the Uganda Hippos’ duo of Rogers Mugisha and Rogers Torach.

Shamika won gold in the Women’s singles category at the 2023 All Africa Senior Badminton Championships in South Africa despite being a junior.

She also won three bronzes (Women’s Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles) in the Uganda Junior International Challenge 2023.

The Gazelles took the runners-up slot in the Zone V Afro Basket Championship whilst the Uganda Hippos’ players Mugisha and Torach were named in the best eleven of the group stages in the Africa U20 Nations Cup.

Special awards:

Promising Talent Award:

Eric Ofoyuru, a 14-year-old Badminton player won the promising talent award.

The Pearl of Africa Badminton Academy player made it main Draw of the Uganda Junior International Challenge.

Ofoyuru is the 2021 World Secondary School Badminton Champion and National School Games MVP.

He collected 180 votes ahead of Uganda Hippos’ Rogers Mugisha (175 votes), Asubo Gafford Ladies’ Kamuyati Naigaga (155 votes) and Amos Ayokobua (115) of KCCA FC U17 side.

Supportive / Assist Award:

Celebrated basketball administrator-cum-coach Nick Natuhereza clinched the inaugural supportive/ assist award.

Natuhereza is credited for improving a lot of players and guiding careers.

As the Technical Director at the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA), he ably stepped in for Gazelles coach Albert Antuna during the Zone V Afro basket qualifiers.

Natuhereza collected a total of 185 votes to beat Uganda Badminton Association Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Mugabi (180 votes), Asubo Gafford ladies’ Zaitun Namaganda (140 votes) and coach Rogers Nkugwa (95 votes).

Doreen Chesang and Hosea Kiplangat shined at the MTN-sponsored 2023 Source of The Nile Half Marathon in Jinja on Saturday.

Kiplagat broke the course record in 1 hour, 1 minute and 28.2 seconds in his debut in the half marathon, smashing Ali Chebures’s 1:02:00 set last year.

Uganda Prisons’ teammate Levi Kiprotich shaved off two minutes from his 7th-place finish last year for second place as Ben Somikwo completed a 1-2-3 finish.

In the women’s category, Chesang reached the tape in a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes and 24.0 seconds, improving her third-place finish last year by 35 seconds.

Annet Chelangat from Uganda Wildlife Authority made it second while Rebecca Cheptegei grabbed the last podium finish for UPDF.

New York Half Marathon – Sun, March 19, 2023 2:00 PM

Ugandan long distance runner Jacob Kiplimo has announced he will race at the 2023 New York Half Marathon due Sunday 19th March.

The announcement follows compatriot and fellow Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei’s confirmation that he’s going to race at the same event.

Kiplimo will be making his USA road racing debut after winning the 10-kilometer race at the World Cross Country Championships held in Bathurst, Australia with a time of 29:17 four days ago.

“I’m very excited that my USA road racing debut will be the United Airlines NYC Half next month, and I will try hard to become the first champion from Uganda,” he wrote on social media.

“My medal from the World Cross Country Championships last weekend shows that everybody will need to be at their best in order to beat me.

He added; “I have been told that the NYC Half course is difficult and a record may not be possible, so I will focus on being the first across the finish line in Central Park.”

Kiplimo heads into the race as the Half Marathon World Record holder, having set 57:31 in Lisbon on 21 November 2021.

New York Half Marathon – Sun, March 19, 2023 2:00 PM

Ugandan long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei has confirmed he will race at the New York City Half Marathon due Sunday 19th March.

Cheptegei started his season with a bronze medal finish at the 44th World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.

He posted 29:37 to finish third ahead of nemesis Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, two-time winner of the senior men’s title but just after compatriot and race winner Jacob Kiplimo (29:17) and Ethiopian Berihu Aregawi (29:26).

Cheptegei wants to use the New York Half Marathon as preparation for the World Championships from 19 August to 27 August 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

“I’m very excited for my first race in New York City, the United Airlines NYC Half,” he wrote on social media.

“One of the primary goals for 2023 is to defend my 10,000m gold medal at the World Championships, and this half-marathon is an important part of those preparations. The race seems like a great tour of New York City!”

Cheptegei is the current record holder of the 10,000 metres which he set on 7 October 2020, improving on Kenenisa Bekele’s 15-year-old record by more than 6 seconds.

Jacob Kiplimo etched his name in history books as he followed Joshua Cheptegei’s footsteps on the global stage by winning the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia on Saturday.

Kiplimo conquered an incredibly strong field and defied the stormy conditions to reach the tape in 29:17 – a remarkably quick time for 10km given the difficulty of the course.

The 22-year-old and compatriot Joshua Cheptegei, the defending champion started the race on a low note and had their Ugandan teammates Isaac Kibet, Samuel Kibet and Martin Kiprotich run at the front of the pack in the first lap.

The pace increased slightly on the second lap, Kiplimo and Cheptegei racing towards the back of the pack while Ethiopian cross-country champion Berihu Aregawi was just a stride ahead of Kiplimo.

At the halfway mark of the race, Cheptegei took charge and moved to the front of the pack, running level with Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor.

Kiplimo and Aregawi, eventually formed a breakaway quartet as temperatures started to drop. Kiplimo was still full of running and he indeed made a break on the final lap.

Kiplimo maintained that lead as he came out of the vineyard and even extended it to seven seconds by the time he reached the ‘mountain straight’ part of the course.

Charging down the downhill stretch, Kiplimo kept looking behind to check if he had a close challenger but since there was none, he kicked off his celebrations even before reaching the tape.

He crossed the line in 29:17 with Aregawi taking silver in 29:26. Cheptegei claimed bronze ahead of a fast-finishing Kamworor, both men timed at 29:37.

Results

1. Jacob KIPLIMO UGA  29:17
2. Berihu AREGAWI ETH  29:26 + 9
3. Joshua CHEPTEGEI UGA  29:37 + 20
4. Geoffrey KAMWOROR KEN  29:37 + 20
5. Kibiwott KANDIE KEN  29:57 + 40
6. Daniel Simiu EBENYO KEN  30:01 + 44
7. Sabastian Kimaru SAWE KEN 30:04 + 47
8. Rodrigue KWIZERA BDI 30:06 + 49
9. Hailemariyam AMARE ETH 30:10 + 53
10. Mogos TUEMAY ETH 30:11 + 54

Ugandan long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei feels his medal-winning return at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Australia was commendable following a string of injuries that have bothered him recently.

Chaptegei – whose season end last year was blighted by injury – crossed the tape in third place, for bronze ahead of a fast-finishing Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, both men timed at 29:37.

Compatriot Jacob Kiplimo stormed to victory in 29:17 – a remarkably quick time for 10km given the difficulty of the course.

Talking up the race, Cheptegei  felt his return from injury after missing the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games meant more; “I think it was a good race, especially coming back from injury.”

The world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder added; “I didn’t have the best preparation, but I’m grateful to come here and finish on the podium. Now I can be reassured I can go focus on the track soon, and especially the coming World Championships.”

The event was Cheptegei’s first major race this year after winning 5,000m gold at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, and 10,000m World Athletics Championships gold in Oregon last year.

Ugandan long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo is buzzing after claiming the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst title in Australia on Saturday.

Kiplimo conquered an incredibly strong field and defied the stormy conditions to smile at the crown, succeeding his compatriot and former winner Joshua Cheptegei.

The 22-year-old reached the tape at 29:17, just before Ethiopian Cross Country Champion Berihu Aregawi and Cheptegei who won silver and bronze respectively.

Gold means Kiplimo’s first in the senior men’s category after finishing second at the 2019 edition in Aarhus, Denmark.

Talking up his victory, Kiplimo praised his efforts in overcoming course obstacles. “The course was really good,” he said.

“Even with lots of wind, it was really intense. I think for me it was really good because there are lots of hills where we train in Uganda. It was not easy but I did my best.”

🇺🇬🇺🇬🇺🇬@jacobkiplimo2, take a bow 👏 #WorldCrossCountry pic.twitter.com/U5VMMeMeEz

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) February 18, 2023

The championship was Kiplimo’s first major competition this year with inspiration coming from his double XXII Commonwealth Games gold in 5,000m and 10,000m last year in Birmingham.

Ugandan long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei feels Saturday’s World Cross Country Championships is “one of the strongest ever assembled”.

The championships will unfold in Bathurst, Australia for the first time in four years after the biannual event was cancelled in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cheptegei and silver medallist Jacob Kiplimo, with Kenya’s two-time champion Geoffrey Kamworor will compete for the top prize in the 10km race.

Cheptegei, a two-time track world champion in the 10,000m, hopes he will clinch the honours despite the challenging field.

“The field is incredible – it has brought together incredible athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda and Burundi, so it would be huge to win again,” the 26-year-old told BBC Sport Africa from Bathurst.

“Everybody has put in a lot of training coming to Australia. The athletes here are all sports heroes in their countries and I can say with respect that this is one of the strongest fields ever.”

Cheptegei was nursing an injury since the successful defence of his 10,000m title at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon last year.

“I’ve had a tough time preparing as I was also still working on my rehabilitation after the injury,” he said.

“But I’m now feeling okay again and I am so excited to get my fitness back. I am able to run on different courses again.”

Kamworor upstaged Cheptegei to win the 2017 World Cross Country title in Kampala. Other East African athletes competing in Australia include former half marathon world record-holder Kibiwott Kandie of Kenya and Burundi’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo.

Long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei will lead team Uganda’s contingent at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.

The 2019 champion in the same event will guide the team across the senior women, men, mixed relay and under-20 categories at the coveted events.

453 elite runners from 48 teams have been confirmed and will participate in the global event on Saturday 18 February.

Cheptegei is set to lead the collection of athletes and he has pledged to be transparent. “Since I have been tasked to represent them, I will be transparent as much as possible,” he told URN.

Uganda will be represented by Cheptegei, Kiplimo, Isaac Kibet, Rogers Kibet and Samuel Kibet for the senior men’s race.

The U20 men’s race will have Ugandans in Feb Chelegoi, Hosea Chemutai, Allan Kibet, Dan Kibet, Keneth Kiprop and Sailas Rotich competing.

Prisca and Stella Chesang will spearhead Uganda women’s quest alongside Annet Chemengich Chelangat, Mercyline Chelangat, Rispa Cherop and Doreen Chesang.

For the U20 women’s race, Peace Chebet, Felister Chekwemoi, Charity Cherop, Risper Cherop and Bentalin Yeko will hold the flag for the Pearl.

Abu Mayanja, Ronald Musagala, Knight Aciru and Linda Chebet will feature in the mixed relay competition as Uganda seeks to leave with accolades.

International sports commentator Robert Joseph Walker has urged the government to treasure and empower active sportsmen.

The Englishman is in the country thanks to an invitation from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).

Rob Walker is well known for his legendary commentary on Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei’s exploits at the world stage.

Speaking at the Media Centre in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, Walker expressed delight at returning to the country je fell in love with having jetted in on Monday, February 6, expected to stay till 15th February.

“Delighted to be back. As I’ve said many times, I will always give my time & energy to promote the country free of charge,” he wrote on his Twitter page.

“Fell in love with East Africa & Uganda on first trip in 2005. Will try to reply to all the messages, but so many! Busy schedule!”

.@GovUganda Delighted to be back. As I’ve said many times, I will always give my time & energy to promote the country free of charge. Fell in love with East Africa & Uganda on first trip in 2005. Will try to reply to all the messages, but so many! Busy schedule! #ExploreUganda https://t.co/0GbqgaIAWA

— Rob Walker (@robwalkertv) February 8, 2023

Walker has also met His Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a state luncheon that had different dignitaries appreciate his kindness to the country at large.

“Huge thanks for the Official Ugandan vest & kit and the presentation from the President yesterday. As a life long distance runner this was a truly humbling gift. What an incredible trip. Thanks for having me,” he further attested on social media.

.⁦@GovUganda⁩ ⁦@ExploreUganda⁩ ⁦@Official_UOC⁩ Huge thanks for the Official Ugandan vest & kit and the presentation from the President yesterday. As a life long distance runner this was a truly humbling gift. What an incredible trip. Thanks for having me. 🇺🇬 pic.twitter.com/k80YC51OzK

— Rob Walker (@robwalkertv) February 9, 2023