Uganda: Kipsiro Eyeing No Less Than a Medal

UGANDA'S biggest medal bet Moses Kipsiro enters the athletics arena today, wary of a Kenyan trio who are ready to do anything to box him out of the Commonwealth Games men's 5000m final.

After denying him a medal podium in his favourite race at the Africa Senior Athletics Championships over two months ago, the Kenyan trio of Eliud Kipchoge, a last minute replacement of Edwin Soi, Vincent Yator and Mark Kiptoo, will not be willing to let Kipsiro break their pattern in the race here at the JN Sports Stadium.

But Kipsiro, used to running in fields where Kenyans are dominant, is least worried of this and for the first time revealed that he wants a medal in the international games after the Olympic medal eluded him in Beijing in 2008. He finished fourth then.

"I can not say what I am going to do but I will plan for the race. I badly need this medal," he said earlier.

With his partner Geoffrey Kusuro pulling out, Kipsiro -- who is focussing on a double, wants to maintain Uganda's routine of winning at least a medal at the Games. Dorcus Inzikuru (3000m steeplechase) and Boniface Kiprop (10000m) won gold medals in Melbourne, 2006.

Also Annet Kabasindi, who finished 6th in Manchester 2002, will be competing in the women javelin final, while Justine Bayigga, and Ali Ngaimoko take to the track in a fight to qualify through the sprints.

Action will also be in the badminton, tennis, swimming and archery.