体坛英语新闻：Ugandan vice president to lead delegation to 2012 London Olympics

KAMPALA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Vice President Edward Ssekandi will lead the country's delegation to the 2012 London Olympics as a way of morale boosting the team to win medals.

Dennis Galabuzi, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) vice president (technical) who will also be the chief de mission said that Ssekandi had confirmed that he will make time to be in London to lead and cheer the team.

"We have already notified the organizers in London so that the vice president is accorded VIP statues while there," said Galabuzi who added that it will be an honor to have Ssekandi lead the team and also support the athletes while in London.

He said that the team, comprising of 16 athletes, is ready for the Games.

"These athletes especially the track and field athletes are training so hard with their counterparts in Kenya and they can't wait for the Games," he said.

It has taken Uganda many years to win an Olympic medal and only their legend Akii Bua won gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The Ugandan team will look to the proven and tested athletes like Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (5,000m, 10,000m), Benjamin Kiplagat (3, 000m steeplechase), Annet Negesa (800m) and returning star Dorcus Inzikuru in the 3,000m steeplechase.

Other athletes on the team include Janet Achola (1,500m), Jane Suuto (Marathon), Stephen Kiprotich (marathon), Jacob Araptany ( 3000m steeplechase), Geoffrey Kusuro (5,000m), Abraham Kiplimo (5, 000m), Julius Mutekanga (800m) and Thomas Ayeko (10,000m), Jamila Lunkuse (swimming/women), Ganzi Mugula (swimming/men), Charles Ssekyaya (weightlifting/men) Edwin Ekiring (badminton/men).