Uganda 15th In Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Uganda has finished in 15th place at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games that climaxed on Sunday.

“ We are happy that despite sending 69 athletes compared to other nations that had over 100 we have managed to perform well and come 15th. This is the best performance ever for Uganda at the Commonwealth Games,” State Minister for Sports, Charles Bakkabulindi told URN on Sunday.

Uganda bagged three gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals. Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei won two gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m where he also set a new Commonwealth Games record.

Stella Chesang later bagged the women's 10,000m gold medal, Solomon Munyo Mutai won silver in marathon and Mercyline Chelangat picked a bronze medal in the 10,000m women race. Boxer Juma Miiro settled for a bronze medal in the 46-49kg weight category after falling at the semi final stage.

Bakkabulindi said he was impressed with the performance of the team because it has shown that Uganda has the potential to do even better if athletes are facilitated and start preparing early enough.  “ Besides the medals, even our Netball team finished sixth after competing strongly with top teams including New Zealand and England,” he added.

Among the African nations Uganda finished 4th behind South Africa who were sixth, Nigeria who were ninth and Kenya who came in 14th place. Hosts Australia came top after winning a total of 198 medals. They bagged 80 gold medals, 59 silvers and 59 bronze medals. The Commonwealth has 53 members.

The State Minister however said he was disappointed that two weightlifters vanished from the team village. “ I am waiting for the team to return so that I receive a well detailed report from the team officials before we take action,” said a furious Bakkabulindi.