Disi to race in Africa meet

AFTER a three-month injury layoff, Rwanda’s ace athlete Dieudonne Disi is set to lead the country’s hunt for honours at this year’s Africa Athletics Championship set for July 28-August 1 at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya. Disi has recovered from a sore hamstring and will now aim to lay down the gauntlet to his rivals when he races over 10000m at one of his favourite venues. The 29-year-old will be accompanied by the likes of Eric Sebahire (5000m), Gervais Hakizimana (3000m), Joseph Nzirorera (1500m), Potien Ntawuyirushintege (800m), steeple chase) and 4*400m relay runners of Thimote Bagina, Moussa Bizimana, Hermas Muvunyi and Emmanuel Ntakirutimana and the sprinting trio of Emmanuel Havugimana (100m), Said Hamisi (200m) and Thimote Bagina (400m). The ladies’ team is comprised of two-time Olympian Epiphanie Nyirabarame (10000m), Claudette Mukasakindi (5000m), Jeanne d’Arc Uwamahoro (400m) and Sophie Kanakuze (100m & 200m). The team, which is locked in serious preparations, is jointly handled by Innocent Rwabuhihi and Emmanuel Habiyambere. In a related development, the event organisers are on heightened alert following Uganda’s twin bomb blasts which have so far claimed 74 lives. The Local Organizing Committee boss, Isaiah Kiplagat said a review of security arrangements for the 43 visiting nations and the hosts was underway. “Of course what happened in Uganda has made us a bit worried and it is a lesson to us that these mercenaries can even target a sports event like ours,” Kiplagat said. “We have summoned our security team to discuss plans on how to avoid such incidents and also, to increase surveillance.” Among nations expected in Nairobi for the five-day continental senior track and field championships are Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia, key targets for Al Shabaab, an Islamist insurgency group which masterminded the Ugandan attacks. Last year, the insurgents warned Kenya of possible raids for supporting the African Union initiative in Somalia even though they had no military presence there. Ends

Sports

Disi to race in Africa meet