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The first national trials were penned for this weekend but were suspended indefinitely after the Uganda Athletics Federation failed to find a suitable hosting alternative.
Uganda's athletes are in danger of missing out on major international events due to the unavailability of suitable facilities for their qualifying trials.
The first national trials were penned for this weekend but were suspended indefinitely after the Uganda Athletics Federation failed to find a suitable hosting alternative.
The Mandela Stadium, the original venue for the National Athletics trial is currently closed for renovation, with works expected to continue until July.
"We couldn't confirm a venue in time," said Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) vice president technical Benjamin Njia. "As the UAF, we are looking out for opportunities for our athletes."
UAF attempted to secure alternative locations such as Kyambogo and Uganda Christian University, but to no avail.
Additionally, the facilities at Makerere, UCU and Kyambogo only serve as a stop gap, but do not reach the required standards for athletes aiming to qualify for top-tier international athletics events.
Although the Teryet High Altitude Training Centre recently installed a running track, the high altitude makes it unsuitable for local athletes to attempt qualifying times.
"Athletes have been preparing for the first trials, but without a standard field, we wouldn't be able to achieve qualification," explained UAF Organising Secretary Paul Odong.
"As far as qualification is concerned those other grounds like Kyambogo, UCU, and Makerere, are just for participation but the times wouldn't be considered.”
“Even if you run there, it wouldn't be a standard field. Where we are as Uganda, we are no longer participants but competitors. Without a standard field we wouldn't be able to achieve qualification,” he continued.
To keep their athletes in the running for qualifying, UAF has facilitated Ugandan sprinters to run in Kenya. For example, Pius Adome managed to set a new national record in the 100m in Kenya.
UAF also hopes that other road runs and times from the recent World Cross Country championships will also be considered for the World Athletics Championships.
The qualification period for the marathon and 35km race walk opened on 1 December 2021 and ends on 30 May 2023.
For the 10,000m, 20km race walk and combined events, the window runs from January 31, 2022, until July 30, 2023. For all other disciplines, the qualification period is from July 31, 2022, to July 30, 2023.
The clock is ticking, and time is running out for Uganda's athletes. UAF is now hoping that the warm-up track at Namboole Stadium can be repaired in time for athletes to qualify. But even that track requires some work before it can be considered a suitable venue. "
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