South Sudan Athletes in Uganda to qualify for Commonwealth Games

South Sudan athletes have arrived in Uganda's capital Kampala in a bid to qualify for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships.

The two events are slated for July this year with a mere week separating them.

Now, due to lack of prerequisite infrastructure, technical knowledge–how and the instability in their country, South Sudan Athletics Federation requested their Ugandan counterpart to help vet their athletes.

 Notable in their contingent are Thiel Deng Thiel, Deng Kuol Deng, Kaulo Deng Deng Kuol, and Yach Majok Koon Wol.

Their current best female athlete Cici James also expects to join the team in the coming days.

“I am about to write my exams and once done, I will fly to Uganda to take part in the trials,” Cici James remarked in an exclusive interview.

The team is led by the 28-year-old full marathon veteran Machol Marko Piyien who is thankful to Uganda for the opportunity.

“Uganda Athletics Federation, media, and the entire government have been so supportive to us South Sudan and we cannot ask for more.

“We hope to qualify with distinction tomorrow and be able to represent our country in the Commonwealth Games and World Championship.

"The team is looking good and every one of us is in good shape. Hopefully, we shall not just qualify but also be able to learn a lot of things from Uganda’s senior athletes who have won everything there is,” Marko told New Vision Sports.

To rate and select them, officials from South Sudan’s federation will work hand in hand with the experienced Ugandan team in the trial that starts on Saturday at Namboole International Stadium.

It should be remembered that three weeks ago, besides Djibouti, Kenya, and Tanzania, South Sudan athletes took part in the Uganda National Cross Country Championship in Tororo town.

Their tour of duty culminated in a silver medal which was won by the 23-year-old speedy monster Abraham Majok in the Mixed sex race 2km category.

UAF vice president technical, Benjamin Njia welcomed the visiting team stressing that their trust in Uganda is a testament to how much creditable progress has been achieved.

“It is a gesture that shows us that Uganda’s athletics reputation in the continent (Africa) is growing and other countries are keenly interested in coming here to learn,” the soft-spoken Njia said.   

The first trial commences this Saturday with track and field athletes to secure chances of representing their countries in Birmingham city, England, and Eugune city of Oregon State, USA.