Delhi Games Baton Here Next Week -UGANDA

UGANDA's journey to the Commonwealth Games starts on December 30, with a three-day Queens Baton relay from Entebbe to Jinja.

The relay will go around the world in promotion of next year's Commonwealth Games due in New Delhi, India.

According to John Bosco Bananuka, the chairman of the Sports for All commission at the Uganda Olympic Committee, the baton, due to leave the country on January 2, 2010, will visit more destinations than in 2006.

"This time round we hope to reach different groups of people and give them a chance to feel it," Bananuka said , adding that there are plans to have it make a stop over at State House, Entebbe.

The baton left Buckingham Palace in November for a trip to the Commonwealth member states, and will make the final stop at the Games where the Queen's message will be read at the opening ceremony.

Uganda's Dorcus Inzikuru (3000m s/chase) and Boniface Kiprop (10000m) are preparing to defend titles they won at the 2006 Melbourne edition.

Arriving from Tanzania on December 30, the baton will go to the Equator, Naggalabi Coronation site, Suubi Watoto Village, Kasubi Tombs, Mildmay Centre and the Indian High Commission.

On December 31, revellers at Club Silk and Ange Noir will have a feel of it after another stop over at New Year's Day celebrations at the Sheraton.