Lalam wins Uganda gold at Commonwealth Youth Games

The Independent July 23, 2017 NEWS, SPORTS Leave a comment

Uganda’s team celebrates Lalam’s gold. Left is official Jacqueline Nakiddu and right, Chelangat. PHOTO VIA @william_blick

Lalam ?? wins javelin gold at Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas

Nassau, Bahamas | THE INDEPENDENT | Josephine Lalam Joyce on Saturday threw 51.89 metres to win Uganda her first medal of the 6th Commonwealth Youth Games – a gold in the javelin.

Lalam,16, earlier pulled out of the discuss event to concentrate on the javelin, and the decision worked perfectly, as gold was secured with a throw of 51.89, with silver going to Bowyer Ellie Frances of Australia with a throw of 50.64m.

It was however a dissapointing night for the other medal prospect Sarah Chelangat who finished 4th in the 3000m in a time of 9.31.65. The race was won by Emmaculate Chepkirui of Kenya, silver medalist at the same distance last week in the World Under 18 athletics championships in Nairobi where Chelangat came 5th.

Chelangat had earlier finished 10th in the final of the girls 1500m at the Youth Games on Thursday.

Uganda was represented at the Games by three teenagers – one boy and two girls.

?for Ellie Bowyer in women’s Jav!! ???@Bahamas2017Cyg @AthsAust @QldAcademySport @qldathletics pic.twitter.com/ca4vQh60z7

— Tessa Storey (@tessa_storey) July 22, 2017

In Bahamas, Chelangat and Lalam Joyce were joined by swimmer Atuhaire Ogola Ambala, 16 , who featured in the boys 200m freestyle and breastroke plus the 400m Individual medley races where he did not get out of the preliminaries.

Uganda has a rich history in the Commonwealth Youth Games, having won 14 medals in track and field athletics at the last three games in Samoa in 2015, Isle of Man in 2011 and in Pune India in 2008.

More than 1,000 young athletes are taking part in the sixth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games that started on July 18 and ends today, July 23.

Atuhaire Ogola Ambala carrying the national flag at the Commonwealth Youth Games opening ceremony in Bahamas Tuesday night

The participants, aged between 14 and 18, represented each of the 52 Commonwealth countries (or 70 participating national teams) and will compete in nine sports events over the course of six days.

The 2017 Games featured three new sports, beach soccer, judo and beach volleyball whilst dropping archery, lawn bowls, weightlifting, and squash. Cycling will also make a return during these games.

UOC and Athletics official Godfrey Nuwagaba and UOC’s Jacqueline Nakiddu are leading the Ugandan team.

Chef de mission Godfrey Nuwagaba after the @Bahamas2017Cyg Delegation Registration Meeting in Bahamas @thecgf @insidethegames @william_blick pic.twitter.com/FUfzn4NGpM

— NOC UGANDA (@Official_UOC) July 17, 2017

The 3000m race in Nairobi where Chelangat finsihed 5th. PHOTO IAAF

Great Commonwealth history for Uganda

Uganda has a rich history at the youth level, especially in athletics where the Commonwealth Youth Games have introduced the likes of Halimah Nakaayi to the big stage. The games were first held in Edinburgh in 2000 with Uganda getting onto the medal scene in a big way in Pune, India in 2008.

Commonwealth medals for Uganda

2015

Apia Samoa – Two Silver, two bronze.

Athletics – Peruth Chemutai silver in girls 1500m and 3000m
Athletics – Janat Chamutso bronze in girls 1500m and 3000m

2011

Isle of Man – 1 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze

Athletics – Halimah Nakaayi 400m gold

Athletics – Phillip Kipyeko bronze 3000m
Athletics – Zac Kiprotich silver 2000m SC

Athletics – Nancy Cheptegei 3000m silver
Athletics – Nancy cheptgeri 2000m sc silver

2008

Pune, India – 1 Gold, 4 silver

Athletics – Elvis Ukale silver 400m
Athletics – Alex cherop silver 1500m