By URN
The Uganda National athletics team for the 45th edition of the World Cross Country Championships has commenced residential training at Trinity Biblical Institute in Kapchorwa in preparation for the event scheduled for March 30th, 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia. The team comprises over 28 athletes under the guidance of professional national coaches, including Benjamin Njia, who also serves as the vice president of technical at the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF).
Njia emphasized the importance of residential training in promoting teamwork, stating that the athletes will undergo one month of intensive training from February 25th to March 25th. He highlighted that cross-country championships require strong teamwork, and training together fosters cohesion among team members.
“We normally make them train together because cross-country championships are about teamwork,” Njia explained. “By the end of several residential trainings, athletes are ready to face off with competitors from different countries and deliver positive results.” The athletes selected for the residential camp were identified during the National Cross Country Championships held on February 10th, 2024, at Tororo Golf Course.
The categories include Senior Men and Women, Junior Boys and Girls, as well as the 2km Mixed relay. Jacob Kiplimo, the reigning World Cross Country Champion, emphasized the importance of preparing together to build team spirit, likening cross country to football in terms of the necessity for mutual support among teammates.
“Cross country is more so like football because we need one another to thrive,” said Kiplimo, highlighting the collaborative nature of the sport and the significance of teamwork in achieving success at the championships.
