Uganda Eyes More Medals with Five Finals at Islamic Solidarity Games

Team Uganda is set for a thrilling night of athletics at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, with athletes competing in five explosive finals on Wednesday at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium.

The Ugandan contingent is aiming to significantly increase its medal count, which stood at nine (three gold, two silver, and four bronze) as of Wednesday morning. The athletics team has already made a strong contribution, securing three of those medals.

Rebecca Chelangat kicked off the success on the track by winning gold in the women's 10,000m, where her compatriot Annet Chemengich Chelangat finished a respectable fourth. In the men's 10,000m final, Samuel Simba Cherop claimed a silver medal, while Abel Chebet secured bronze, adding to the team's impressive performance.

The action continues with a packed evening schedule. At 9PM (Ugandan time), world champion Halima Nakaayi will compete in the women's 800m final. Nakaayi expressed confidence ahead of the race, stating, "I have prepared well and the body is set for the final."

Shortly after, at 9.15 PM, Tom Dradriga will take to the track for the men's 1,500m final. The focus will then shift to the 400m finals, with Shida Leni representing Uganda in the women's race and Haron Adoli competing in the men's event at 9:42 PM.

The night will conclude with the women's 5,000m final, where Uganda has double representation with Charity Cherop and Risper Cherop vying for podium finishes.

Hungary-based swimmer Anna Gloria Muzito has been a standout performer, winning two gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle events, along with a silver in the 200m freestyle.

The bronze medals have come from a variety of sports: boxer Alfred Ojok, runner Abel Chebet (10,000m), the women's table tennis doubles team of Parvin Judith Nangonzi and Jemimah Nakawala, and swimmer Jesse Ssuubi Ssengonzi in the 200m butterfly.

In other events, wrestler Veronica Ayo is set to begin her competition, while para-powerlifter Denis Mbaziira will compete on Friday, November 21. Uganda has a consistent history of participation in the Islamic Solidarity Games, having competed in every edition since the inaugural games in Mecca in 2005.