After a golden turn for Uganda in Gold Coast, the expectation is for more medals as the Commonwealth Games conclude this weekend, writes William Kasoba.
There is now no doubt that the current 69-man contingent participating in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia is the most successful in years.
Joshua Cheptegei was the first to make a bold mark for the Ugandan flag after scooping gold in the Men’s 5000m race on Sunday and just a day later the country was jubilating again as Stella Chesang and Juliet Chekwel did us proud by adding more medals via the Women’s 10,000m race.
Boxer Juma Miiro’s entry into the Men’s 46-49kg semis meant another medal of some form would be in the bag, so action turns to a weekend which will start early for a hopeful nation.
Today Thursday, Winnie Nanyondo will hoping to redeem herself after the disappointment she suffered in the Women’s 1500m when she takes to the track with 2016 Olympic semi-finalist Halima Nakaayi and Docus Ajok for the Women’s 800m race. Another anticipated medal win is on Friday as Joshua Cheptegei competes in the Men’s 10,000m, a race where teenager and IAAF junior champion Jacob Kiplimo will be making his maiden appearance at the event.
On the same day, Chekwel and Mercyline Chelangant will be going for glory in the Women’s 5000m, but it is the closing event—Sunday’s marathon, where Uganda expects her stars to provide the show-closing fireworks. There will be 38 million expecting nothing but gold.