Official Programme1 with TECHNOLOGY 2 ASICS FlyteFoam 6 Sheet ACBRP160220 1200X1800mm ASICS_FF_Full Body_Male_6SHT_CMYK_V2.tif Table of contents IAAF President’s Message 4 Message from the 1st Lady and Minister for Education and Sports 5 Message from the Mayor of Kampala Capital City Authority 6 Message from the Chair, Local Organising Committee 7 Message from the President, Uganda Athletics Federation 7 IAAF Council 9 Local Organising Committee Structure 11 Key National Technical Officials 13 Participating Member Federations 15 General Programme 16 The Official Sites 17 The Course 17 Facts About The Course - Kololo Independence Ground 18 Previous Editions of IAAF World Cross Country Championships 19 About Uganda 33 Kampala - A City of Seven Hills 35 Get to Know about the IAAF WXC Kampala 2017 logo features 37 A Glimpse of IAAF World Cross Country Championships Over the Years 37 3 IAAF President’s Message The 42nd edition of the IAAF World of endurance talent which waits to be Cross Country Championships tapped. on Sunday 26 March 2017 brings to a close an exciting five-month So these championships represent international schedule of competition a truly significant moment for the at the core of which were seven IAAF development of cross country Cross Country Permit meetings. running both nationally and internationally. These illustrious, Cross country was in my DNA as inspiring championships, which as a middle distance runner. It gave the International Cross Country me, like so many other athletes, the Championships were first contested endurance background to compete in 1903, nearly a decade before the on the track. It is an elemental event; IAAF was founded, have attracted mankind against nature. Mixed a “Who’s who” of athletics greats with great tradition, the IAAF World during their history. Down the years Cross Country Championships offers there have been names such as athlete and spectator alike a pure Waitz, Jennings, Tulu, Radcliffe, distance running spectacle. Masai, Dibaba, Lopes, Treacy, Ngugi, Tergat, and Bekele. Will a new star Notably, the IAAF World Cross emerge from these championships? Country Championships are the oldest IAAF World Athletics Series Thank you to all those who have event, having first been celebrated combined together with the Local under the IAAF banner in 1973. This Organising Committee and IAAF year’s championships will mark the to stage these championships, first time that they have taken place including the Government of the in Uganda and only the fifth occasion Republic of Uganda, Kampala that they have been hosted in Africa, Capital City Authority, Uganda following two editions in Morocco and Athletics Federation and the Official one each in South Africa and Kenya. Partners and Supplier of the World Athletics Series. The championships also mark a milestone in Uganda’s Athletics I look forward to attending the IAAF development given its country’s first World Cross Country Championships occasion as an IAAF World Athletics Kampala 2017 and wish the runners, Series event host. Uganda’s greatest coaches, officials, media, spectators athletics hero remains 1972 Olympic and, of course the volunteers an 400m Hurdles champion John Akii- enjoyable day of distance running. Bua. But its Olympic and world champion marathon runner Stephen Kiprotich and world champion steeplechaser Dorcus Inzikuru, Sebastian Coe along with world 5000m and World IAAF PRESIDENT Cross medalist Moses Kipsiro have given us a glimpse of the rich vein 4 Message from the 1st Lady and Minister for Education and Sports The Government of the Republic of Uganda is delighted to host the 42nd Edition of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala on the 26th March, 2017. We are grateful to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for granting us the mandate to host this prestigious championship. This is the highest ever international sports event the country has organised. As a country, we are committed to hosting a unique and successful event. Uganda is a great sporting country that supports and upholds the talents of our young people. Athletics is one of key sports that we deliberately promote. Our Government, under the committed leadership of H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, recognises the positive role sports plays in the lives of our people. The IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017 therefore gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate our rightful position in global sports. On behalf of the people of Uganda I welcome all the athletes, officials and foreign delegations to a country with a unique scenic beauty and diverse traditional cultures. You will be treated to the traditional hospitality of our people. I believe you will be encouraged to return to our country for tourism, trade and investment opportunities. Uganda is a peaceful country and we guarantee your security while you are here for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017. I wish all the athletes good luck and success to the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kampala 2017 Janet K. Museveni 1ST LADY AND MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SPORTS 5 Message from the Mayor of Kampala Capital City Authority On behalf of the 1.8 million residents The City Authority has done of Kampala Capital City Authority, everything to ensure that your stay I would like to welcome you all in Kampala is a pleasant one. The to Kampala. The 42nd edition of rest of the country offers a dream IAAF World Cross Championship destination for all our visitors as it Kampala 2017 at our historical and is endowed with abundant natural prestigious Kololo Independence and cultural resources that form the Grounds offers us an opportunity to basis of a lucrative tourism industry. share with you and the world what our Uganda, a country “Gifted by beautiful city has to offer. Kampala, Nature”, is characterised by the most a cosmopolitan city originally built on diverse and unique assemblage of seven hills, is Uganda’s capital and pristine eco-systems, scenic physical business hub. Founded in the early features, wildlife animals, water 19th century, the city has experienced bodies and a variety of flora and fauna unprecedented growth over the species. This is all underpinned by years, not only in terms of spatial a fast, vibrant and stable economy. coverage and population, but also in Find time after the Championships stature. to discover the enduring truth of Sir Winston Churchill’s description of The city boasts an unrivalled appeal Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa”. as it nestles at the northern shores of Lake Victoria. It enjoys a cool and So once again, welcome to fresh breeze from the lake as well Kampala. We wish you an enjoyable as warm tropical temperatures all championship. year round. Besides the pleasant weather, Kampala is blessed with a host of interesting historical buildings, museums, bird-watching Erias Lukwago trails, religious trails, cultural sites THE LORD MAYOR, KAMPALA and a vibrant nightlife. All these, CAPITAL CITY AUTHORITY and our welcoming people, make Kampala a natural choice for our visitors. We invite you to enrich your knowledge of the city by visiting us at www.visitkampala.net 6 Message from the Chair, Local Organising Committee the 42nd edition of the IAAF World a great opportunity of watching our Cross Country Championships is a stars in action together with other success. renowned world distance runners. Under the theme “A green cross country, A people’s cross country” On behalf of the Local Organising we are committed to host a Committee and the Government of memorable event that will make an the Republic of Uganda, I pledge all impact not only on the lives of the the delegations an enjoyable and visiting athletes and delegations, but memorable championships. also the citizens of Kampala City and On behalf of the Local Organizing Uganda. Committee (LOC) for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Our athletes have competed with Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi Kampala 2017, I wish to extend honour at the IAAF World Cross CHAIRPERSON LOC AND my welcome to all the athletes, Country Championships over the MINISTER OF STATE FOR SPORTS officials, media and delegations. last 20 years. The Kampala event We have made efforts with all the will therefore provide our people with necessary preparations to ensure Message from the President, Uganda Athletics Federation It is a great honour and pleasure for History is in the offing in this event I me to welcome all delegations to expected to be very competitive the 42nd Edition of the IAAF World with the mixed relays being run for Cross Country Championships. the first time ever at the IAAF World Kololo Independence Grounds, the Cross country Championships. The venue for the event is in the heart challenging course provided by the of Kampala City, which provides the LOC will add to the spectacle. arena for action on the 26th March 2017. Uganda is the 4th African The local organising committee country to host this prestigious event has done a commendable job. and my Federation is grateful to the Government and partners who have IAAF for granting our country this supported the event are commended. opportunity. On behalf of the federation that I wish all athletes success as they lead, Uganda Athletics Federation, I tackle the challenging course All our guests will surely enjoy the congratulate all the partners for their unique beauty of our country well tremendous efforts. known as the “Pearl of Africa”. The guests will also have a feel of the rich For the enthusiastic Ugandans and Domenic