Local athletics federation to blame

RWANDA’S long distance icon Dieudonne Disi could miss the 11th edition of the World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan after missing his flight.

Disi who was supposed to link up with his fellow teammate Angelline Nyiransabimana before the pair’s departure to Japan arrived in the country Sunday morning only to be misled by the national athletics federation that his flight was scheduled for Monday.

It is reported that Disi who was coming from his training base in Holland was mislead by the federation though the federation’s technical director Emmanuel Murenzi hesitated to comment insisting that he knew nothing about the athlete’s travel schedule.

Disi yesterday told Times Sport that he was trying to book himself onto the next flight though chances were still slim.

"I’m trying to book myself onto Wednesday’s flight but Kenya Airways insists that I have to purchase another air ticket,” the frustrated athlete said.

Before adding that, "I also tried to persuade Kenya Airways to book me on the Kigali-Nairobi-Bombay-Osaka flight but I was told that it’s already full though they promised to keep me posted.” 

Nyiransabimana who departed aboard a Kenya Airways plane is expected to arrive in Osaka later today, four days before the championship.

Disi and Nyiransabimana are expected to compete in the 5000m race alongside some of the world’s top athletes.

Unlike Nyiransabimana who is making her first appearance at this level, Disi, 27 can’t wait to improve on his 17th spot finish in the 10000m race in Helsinki back in 2005.

The Championship runs from August 25-September 3.

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