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Uganda Sends Four Athletes to 2026 World Athletics Relays in Botswana

The Uganda Athletics Federation has confirmed a final squad of four athletes for the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana. Federation president Dominic Otuchet cited financial limitations as the reason for the small team size, which includes no reserve athletes. The event marks the first time the World Athletics Relays will be held on African soil and is a key qualifier for the 2026 and 2027 World Championships. Uganda's team will compete against established relay nations like the USA, Jamaica, and hosts Botswana.

Key Points: Uganda's 2026 World Athletics Relays Squad Announced

  • Uganda names final four-athlete squad
  • Event is first World Athletics Relays in Africa
  • Serves as qualifier for major championships
  • Team faces competition from global powerhouses
  • Host Botswana staging its first World Athletics Series event
2 min read

Athletics: Uganda to send four athletes to 2026 World Athletics Relays

Uganda will send a team of four athletes to the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, due to financial constraints.

"We were cleared by the world body because of our ranking, and we can only manage to send four runners and no reserves because of a lack of finances. - Dominic Otuchet"

Kampala, April 14

Uganda Athletics has named its final squad for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, set to take place in Gaborone, Botswana. Uganda Athletics Federation president Dominic Otuchet confirmed to Xinhua on Tuesday that a team of four athletes will represent the country at the competition.

Botswana will host the event at the Botswana National Stadium from May 2-3. This will be the eighth edition of the World Athletics Relays and the first time the event is staged on African soil. "We were cleared by the world body because of our ranking, and we can only manage to send four runners and no reserves because of a lack of finances," added Otuchet.

Despite the limited squad size, Otuchet emphasised that preparations are already underway. "I want to commend the athletes and coaches for their tireless commitment," he added.

Uganda's team comprises Haron Adoli, Kenneth Omuka, Shida Leni, and Maureen Banura, reports Xinhua.

The team is expected to face strong competition from established relay powerhouses, including South Africa, the United States, Canada, Botswana, Britain, Jamaica, Spain, and Kenya.

The 2026 World Athletics Relays will be held at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana, on May 2 and 3. It will be the 8th edition of the World Athletics Relays and the first time the event will be held in Botswana, or in Africa.

The World Athletics Relays in Gaborone will mark Botswana's first time hosting a World Athletics Series event. The capital city held a Continental Tour Gold meeting in 2023 and will also host the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on April 12, 2024.

The 2026 World Athletics Relays will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest and the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. In this context, the top six teams in the Mixed 4×100 metres relay and 4×400 metres relay will secure direct entry to Budapest, while the top 12 teams in each event will qualify for Beijing.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
"Lack of finances" – this hits home. We see similar struggles in Indian sports outside of cricket. These athletes work so hard, only to be limited by budgets. Kudos to the Ugandan federation for sending who they can. Maureen Banura is a fantastic runner, I've followed her career.
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Aman W
Interesting to see Kenya in the competition list. The East African rivalry in long distance is legendary, but in relays it will be a different ball game. South Africa and USA will be tough to beat. Hope Uganda puts up a good fight! 🏃‍♂️💨
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Sarah B
As an athletics fan based in Delhi, I'm thrilled the event is in Gaborone. The time zone will be much better for us to watch in India compared to events in the Americas. The qualifying path to Budapest and Beijing adds real stakes. Good luck to all athletes!
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Karthik V
While I appreciate the effort, sending just four athletes with no reserves is a huge risk. What if someone gets injured? The federation should have planned better or sought sponsors. It feels like setting up the team for unnecessary pressure. Respectfully, the preparation seems inadequate.
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Nisha Z
Hosting a World Athletics Series event is a massive achievement for Botswana. It will boost sports tourism in Africa. Hope it inspires more African nations, and maybe India too, to bid for such global events. Jai Hind!

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