Athletics coach Nalis Bigingo has admitted that Moses Kipsiro’s withdrawal from the national team that traveled to Guiyang, China for the World Cross Country Championships demoralized team Uganda runners.
Bigingo who handled the team in camp for three weeks alongside Benjamin Longiross before their departure said, he was “shocked’ at Joshua Cheptegei’s 10th finish adding that there must have been something that went wrong.
“I was shocked Joshua didn’t get a medal,” Bigingo told Daily Monitor. “But since I didn’t travel with them, I can’t tell you what exactly went wrong but Kipsiro’s absence could have affected the team’s morale.”
Coach Benjamin Longiross also did not rule out the Kipsiro factor which he says may have contributed to their dismal performance. “I expected more from the team after all the hard work we put in in training,” he said.
“It’s clear the absence of their captain had an effect on the performance. You see, you can’t be on the frontline without a commander. Kipsiro is the kind of runner you need on such occasions.
“He is an advisor, a good leader and everyone on the team believes in him,” Longiross further told Daily Monitor. “I hope this serves as a lesson.”
“We need to deal with Kipsiro’s situation decisively and have him running wholeheartedly again. He is a very gifted runner and the country can’t afford to lose him.”
Both coaches were dropped from the contingent that traveled and rumours have since circulated that the runners could have been on a strike hence the half-spirited display to show solidarity with Kipsiro.
