41st IAAF World Cross-country Championships:
26th March 2017
At Kololo Independence Grounds, Kampala
Efforts to host a successful 41st IAAF World Cross Country Championship in Uganda have garnered steam.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the event headed by the State Minister for Sports, Charles Bakabulindi have held a series of round table preparatory meetings.
Last week, they held the initial breakfast meeting at Nile Hall of Serena Hotel in Kampala with key partners, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) officials, Fly Emirates and the Uganda Tourism Board.
Quoted by Daily Monitor, Bakabulindi emphasized;
All committees are finalizing on preparations and we have one final LOC Meeting that will set off all the remaining activities next week.
We were supposed to table this event’s plan in Cabinet meeting this week but I have spoken to the Prime Minister and it will happen next week.
But this is not only an event for Kampala, it is for Uganda
8 Billion Budget:
At least a total budget of Shs 8billion was planned. Shs 6.4billion is expected to come from government and KCCA.
More funds are required to make the event colourful. IAAF offers Shs1b in kind while a required Shs 630million is expected from national sponsors.
LOC and UAF unveiled the available partnerships to business and corporate firms.
KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi, who was part of the meeting hopes Government releases the required funds on time;
We appeal to government to release funds in advance so as to have a successful event.
As KCCA, we have done some improvements to beautify the city
The event will host at least 800 athletes from 200 nations.
The 2017 Uganda National Cross-Country will be held at the same venue on 14th January 2017 as a test event.
