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Akampa and Orishaba alongside other athletes, during a training session at KHAAC in Kabale
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By Our Reporter
Promising runners Seth Akampa and Marvelous Orishaba have continued with vigorous training at the Kigezi High Altitude Athletics Centre (KHAAC) in Kabale, ahead of the FISU World University Games due this month in Berlin, Germany. The pair, alongside Johnson Ayesiga, are being handled by national athletics coach Gordon Ahimbisibwe, with support from athletics enthusiast and KHAAC proprietor Dr. Peter Ngategize.
Seth Akampa holds a FISU gold in cross country and a pair of gold medals in the 5000m and 10,000m at the East Africa University Games, as well as the national 10,000m gold — all won in the last 12 months.
Akampa and Orishaba alongside other athletes, during a training session at KHAAC in Kabale
“Every success comes after good preparation and trust in God. From what I have been going through for the last 30 days, I feel ready to defend my position on the podium at the games in Berlin. Our coach is not only a good technical guide but also a parent, who handles us like his own children, and this has motivated us even more,” Akampa said.
“I want to thank Dr. Peter (Ngategize) and my university for the financial support, as well as Athletics Uganda and the Uganda university sports family for all the encouragement. We shall be in Berlin to pay them back,” he added.
Coach Gordon Ahimbisibwe talks to Seth Akampa and Maverous Orishaba
Orishaba, a middle-distance runner who boasts triple gold in the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m races at the East Africa Games in Kisumu late last year, will be competing at the World University Games for the third time and promises to push for a podium finish this time around.
“I have worked hard since the last games (in Oman) and I feel this should be my time to come home with a medal. I now have the experience to compete among the very best in the world,” Orishaba said.
It will be Ayesiga’s first time competing internationally, and the flamboyant 1500m runner will be hoping to make a mark on his debut, having made the Uganda team thanks to his heroics in Kisumu, where he won his race.
L-R-Akampa, Orishaba and Ayesiga during a training session at Kigezi High Altitude
Team coach Gordon Ahimbisibwe, known for grooming Uganda’s elite runners like Stephen Kiprotich and Joshua Cheptegei, believes his athletes will deliver.
“I always give my runners tests that are intended to prove they are ready for the task. From how they have performed during training sessions, I am hopeful they will deliver,” Ahimbisibwe said.
The FISU Games will run from July 16 to 27 in Germany, and Akampa is expected to have his first race on July 21.
