It is Tokyo time indeed and the mood in the Ugandan camp says it all.

With 34 days left to the world’s most prestigious sports champion; the Olympic Games that are slated for Tokyo, Japan, a team of five athletes was flagged off on Thursday. 17th. June. 2021 for the 2020 Olympics for a training camp.

The development is part of the fruits from the MOU signed between the Government of Uganda and the Japanese Embassy that was signed in 2018 to help the Ugandan team to prepare adequately for the Tokyo Games.

The first batch of the Ugandan 2020 Olympics team that included three boxers Shadir Musa Bwogi, Catherine Nanziri and David Semujju; weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko and swimmer Atuhaire Ambale was seen off by the State Minister for Sports, Hamson Obua and will camp in the Izumisano City in the Osaka Prefecture ahead of the games.  

While flagging off the team, Obua cautioned the departing contingent of the prevailing corona virus pandemic, urging them to keep safe.

“We participate in the Games at the most difficult time in our lifetime. Covid-19 is real, it exists, and it kills,” he said.

“It takes individual vigilance. Avoid situations that will expose you. This is your golden opportunity,” Obua added.

This will be the first time in the history of the Olympics that a Ugandan team is having a training and preparation camp ahead of the games in the hosting country.

By Joseph Mary Ssempiira www.sportznow.ug writer.