Following a triumphant return from the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18/20 Championships in Abeokuta Nigeria, Team Uganda has been well received by the National Council Sports in Lugogo this afternoon.
A team from the NCS Secretariat warmly welcomed Athletics Uganda President Dominic Otuchet and his charges, accompanying their words of appreciation and encouragement with a luncheon at the Copper Chimney Restaurant; the youngsters were treated to well earned and deserved indulgement, following weeks of strict dieting before and during competition.
Between them, the 19 athletes who travelled to the West African country managed a respectable medal haul of eight (9), including five gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
As shared progressively over the last few days, the medals were picked up on the track in the women's and men's long and middle distance races in which Uganda has become a global power; but there was also notably a bronze medal from the field as young David Beckham Otim, winner of gold in the U18 men's long jump in the East African meet in Dar-es-Salaam earlier, settled for bronze in the continental contest.
The Team was fully supported by government of Uganda.

The Gold Medalists:
1. Bentaline Yeko, women's 3000m, U20
2. Samuel Simba Cherop, men's 10000m, U20
3. Nancy Chepkwurui, women's 1500m, U20
4. Charity Cherop, women's 5000m, U20
NCS Assistant General Secretary (Admin) Joseph Oluga hailed their heroic feats, reiterating government's full committment to the national athletics cause as exemplified by the rich financial rewards that these days go to medal winners at major competitions, as well as the ongoing development of multi-discipline sports infrastructure across the country, all complete with standard running tracks. Sarah Chelangat, the outgoing Ag Assistant General Secretary (Technical), added to Oluga's voice by urging the youngsters not to rest on their laurels after this excellent outing, reminding them that their journey to true national stardom had only just begun. To complete the NCS welcoming party were incoming Assistant General Secretary (Technical) Milton Chebet, Senior Sports Officer Sarah Anne Nankya, and Sports Officer Charles Cherop.
The 19-strong team returned from the continental games in Nigeria with an impressive medal haul of nine, that included four gold,, one silver and four bronze.