Uganda beefs up security ahead of World Cross Country meet

Host Uganda has beefed up security in and around the capital Kampala where the 2017 World Cross Country athletics championships are slated to be held on March 26.

Dominic Otuchet, President of Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), on Thursday said that with over 800 visitors coming into the country, they have ensured that security will be very tight and all teams, hotels and the track area will be guarded, reports Xinhua news agency.

"We are not taking any security issues for granted," Otuchet said noting that all teams right from arrival will have a lead security car to the hotels, training sessions and on the day of the race.

On the track at the Kololo Independence ground all is set as teams have started training ahead of the event on Sunday.

"The athletes will enjoy the track because the grass has been well maintained," said Faustino Kiwa, a member of the technical committee of UAF.

Foreign teams have started arriving in the country. Fifty nine countries and regions have entered the event which will have 553 athletes taking part.

Ethiopia are the defending champions of the senior event, while Kenya dominated the individual event in the last championships held in China.

--IANS

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