Five youths from the Teso Region who posted impressive results during the Elalai Culture and Sports Festivals in Kakemer on New Year’s Eve have landed education scholarships in colleges in the United States and Kingstone, Jamaica.
Benard Emokol secured an education scholarship in the United States after winning the 10km cross country championships during the Sports Festival on Sunday.
The Under-20 boys’ competition saw Emokol lead from the start to the finish with little resistance. He was followed by Stephen Parapara with Jostine Anyara taking third position.
Teso Norh Member of Parliament Oku Kaunya said that while Emokol was the outright choice by a panel of coaches, others who also impressed the coaches included Ruth Namukula who won the over 20 girls’ competition in 23 minutes 25.13 seconds. Winnie Cherop took second position in 26:24.79, and Gladys Onyapidi (26:52.33) finished in that order.
Also, to win the hearts of the coaches was Mark Andiema, who emerged winner in the over 20 years boys’ category after breasting the tape in 19:32.25, followed in second place by Joel Nitwoi in 20:10.80.
Kaunya said they would pick eight athletes to proceed to training camp, Iten ahead of Chepsaita Marathon on January 8, 2025, were the number to land education scholarships will be whittled to five.
Three of the athletes to be picked are those who have completed form four with two still pursuing their “0” Levels.
It will be a boon to the Teso region to land five scholarships at one go. Julius Olungur was the first recipient of the education scholarship in 2023 at Kingstone College in Jamaica.
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The MP said US-based Herman Odionyi and himself will carter for the upkeep of the eight athletes during the training camp.
In another development, Mr Kaunya announced that NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Emerikwa has donated 11 balls and 15 pairs of uniforms to soccer clubs in the region.
In the Under-12 boys category, Robert Otwane emerged first with a time of 4 minutes, 16.3 seconds. In second place was Gerald Ipalei in.4:19.70 with Philip Elya taking third position in 6:52.06.
Mark Denis Papa was crowned the Under-16 champion with a time of 6 minutes: 33.27 seconds. Emmanuel Omuse was second in 6:49.76, a head of Babel Chabaraka in 6:52.06.
The girls’ U-12 category was won by Vivian Nasirumbi in a time of 3 minutes, 23.90 seconds. She led by 8 seconds ahead of Vivian Amake in 3:31.73.
In the over 45 women’s category, Violet Inyele finished first. Domchila Akong’o was ranked second with Rebecca Apale coming in second position.
The men’s over 45 years title went to Desmond James. Benard Obosa finished second and Fred Stephen took third position.
In volleyball boys, Angurai beat Changara 3-1 (25-20, 12-25, 25-23, 25-22) in the finals.
The ladies’ title went to Katakwa, which beat Kakapel 2-0 (25-17, 25-19).
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