Uganda hosts IAAF World Cross Country Championships 2017 in Kampala
KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda is hosting the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017 this Sunday 26th March 2017 at the Independence Grounds in Kololo an upscale Kampala suburb.
The local organizing committee has already put in place an official information sharing platform. These are the website iaafkampala2017.org, together with the Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media accounts.
“We are hosting an international event and we would like to interact with the world,” Ugandan State Minister for Sport and LOC Chairman Charles Bakkabulindi has said.
“Cross country is a sport about unity and involves that interaction of all stakeholders from the runners, the organisers and the fans to make it memorable. We want to have a great atmosphere at Kololo Independence Grounds and the only way we can have it is by involving all the stakeholders to be part of the event.”
The event’s official hash tag is #iaafkampala2017.
Ugandan team during a training session
National head coach Benjamin Longiross talks to his athletes during the training of selected athletes at the national camp in Bukwo December 14, 2016. By Norman Katende
“We are requesting that all the people out there use this hash tag for easier communication and interaction. This is a people’s cross country and we believe that the conversation on the different platforms will show the warmth of Uganda’s hospitality,” Bakkabulindi said.
Head of media for the event Norman Katende said that the website was designed to give all the visitors the required information about the event and other activities that come alongside hosting such events.
“It is a full package for the athletes, journalists, managers, coaches and fans,” Katende said. “It gives detailed programmes, required team and media manuals, information about Kampala and all activities lined up. We also have a team of motivated people in the background ready to answer and help people who are in need of information about the World Cross Country as we make the event a memorable one.”
Teams from over 10 countries already here in Uganda for the competitions
Teams from over 10 countries already here in Uganda for the competitions
Uganda Tourism Board CEO, Stephen Asiimwe, say the IAAF is a great opportunity for Uganda to go into people’s home around the world.
“For that one day, the world’s top athletes, media and sports personalities will be here in Uganda—and the whole world will be watching,” Asiimwe says. “Hosting an international athletics event like this a proof of confidence in the people and Government of Uganda,” he says.
