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Uganda hosted the 5th East African Open speed Skating championship at Mandela National Stadium Pack yard in Namboole on Saturday 16th December 2023
The event was hosted by Uganda with Kenya and Rwanda as the visiting participants.
Eight Skating Clubs from East Africa showcased their skills at the event include Decobs Skating Club (Uganda), Hot street skaters club (Uganda), Believers Skating Club (Uganda), Entebbe city Rollers Skating Club (Uganda)
The other clubs were; Siaya Skating Club (Kenya), Kintale Rollers Skating Club (Kenya) , Rwanda hot Club of Skate style (Rwanda）and Funport Skating Club (Kenya)
Uganda was exceptional in this edition by winning the a total 57 medals, 21 Golds and Silvers and 15 Bronze to emerge the overall winners 2023 East African speed skating championships.
Entebbe city Rollers Skating Club impressed with highest numbers of medals at the East Africa Open Speed Skating championship in Uganda
As Uganda struggled to match Kenya’s dominance, Uganda rising star shakir Kiggundu secured Silver medals in the intensely competitive short-distance categories of the 200-metre sprints.
In this event, Uganda stood strong , Kenya finished in second place and Rwanda conceding the third spot.
Imran Sserumaga’s performance in the demanding 10-kilometre deserves recognition. Out of a competitive field of 12 participants, Sserumaga clinched the Gold medal in his category .
Acknowledging the dominance of Kenyan skaters across various events, Imran Sserumaga, who is also the head coach at Entenbe city Rollers Skating Club , praised his team’s determination. He highlighted the urgent need for enhanced equipment to elevate Uganda’s standing in the sport.
“It is clear that our need for standard equipment is urgent. A majority of our athletes faced challenges early on, struggling to keep pace,” he said.
Moses Ddungu, president of the Uganda Skateboarding Federation, spoke about the rising prominence of inline speed skating within the country.
Ddungu acknowledged the current lack of adequate facilities for speed skating due to the absence of suitable long tracks.
While Uganda’s existing skate parks in Mukono and Kitintale are tailored for skateboarding, they fall short for the needs of speed skating.
“Due to the finances we have at hand we can’t afford enough equipment for speed skating as just the Cheapest skating sheo is at 300 dollars that amount is too high for our athletes and the federation.” He added.
Speed Skating is one of the skating disciplines.
The next outing for team Uganda will be the National Open Skating championships in Mukono in January 2024.
