By 
Kenyan sprinting sensation and Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala delivered a thrilling performance at the third National Trials held at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Omanyala in the middle wearing red.
The newly refurbished stadium, now meeting international standards, witnessed Omanyala dominate the men’s 100m Heat 1, clocking an impressive 10.09 seconds. His electrifying speed not only reinforced his reputation but also elevated the competitiveness of the event, inspiring local Ugandan talent to rise to the occasion.
Omanyala, the 2022 Commonwealth and African champion, as well as the African record holder (9.77 seconds), praised the upgrades at Namboole, highlighting its potential as a world-class venue. So impressed was he that he urged Uganda to bid for the World Indoor Athletics Championships, a move that could further solidify the nation’s presence on the global athletics stage.
Beyond his individual ambitions, Omanyala remains committed to developing sprinting across East Africa. His participation at the trials was a major boost for the region’s athletics with Uganda’s young sprinters gaining invaluable experience competing against one of the best in the world.
Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) President Dominic Otuchet echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of foreign participation. He revealed that over 10 athletes from the trials had already secured qualification for international competitions, signaling a promising future for Ugandan sprinting.
Reflecting on Uganda’s rich history in short-distance events from John Akii-Bua’s historic 1972 Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles to Davis Kamoga’s 1996 Olympic bronze in the 400m, Otuchet expressed hope that this could mark the beginning of a new era for Ugandan sprinting.
