As the Uganda Athletics continues to celebrate its 100 years of existence, the body confirmed the invitation of Athletes from four countries for the John Akii Bua Memorial meet on June 7th at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
The 23rd edition of the memorial meet has been upgraded to an international level after being categorised as a Bronze championship.
A prize money of 50,000 dollars will be splashed as winners per international category will be handed $1600 while National category winners will be entitled to 350,000/= Uganda shillings.
For both National and International, the top eight finishers will all have prizes lower than the gold medalists.
At the national level, a total of 12 events, including four for men and eight for women, will take place with 100 meters and 800 Meters ground participation as per gender.
Furthermore, the men will compete in shotput and the late Akii Bua’s event, 400 meters hurdles, where he won the first gold medal in Uganda’s history at Berlin 1972.
For women alone, they will participate in 1500 meters, fans’ 2000 meters steeplechase, 10000 meters fun run, and field events like Discus and Long Jump.
Internationally, there will be a total of 10 events. The men will compete in five races and one field event.
In 100 meters, Kenyan Meshach Babu is the athlete with the best time with his record at 10:35 seconds.
The spring shall have a total of eight sprinters, including two Kenyan and South Sudanese in Thiep Deng Malek and five Ugandans.
The other male foreign Athletes are Ekwam Zablon Ekhal, Boniface Mwersase Ontuga, both Kenyan in 400 meters, Gebrebrhan Brhane of Eritrea in 1500 meters and Brian Kiptoo Ngetich.
There will be four women’s events, with the 800 meters predicted to be the most competitive, with the center of competition pointed at Halima Nakaayi (timing 2:00.88) and Sarah Moraa Orombi of Kenya, timing 1:59.00.
Looking at international female Athletes to embrace the meet, there is a total of five, including Saida Tsehaye Ageze of Ethiopia, who will race in 800 meters.
The others are Lanoline Aoko of Kenya in 400 meters, Chepkwemoi Dorcus Ndiema and Molla Hagos Nigisti of Ethiopia, both invited for 5000 meters.
