15-year-old long distance runner Chebet delivers a masterclass at USSSA Ball Games

She came as a guest runner and so will not go back home with a medal, but she will walk home an inspired young runner, for the gifts she collected from the admiring fans, which will keep her doing, even more, better than she did at Dr. Obote College Boroboro.

This is 15-year-old budding long-distance runner Isella Chebet from Bukwo district, who took Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Ball Games II athletics at Dr. Obote by storm, running and winning a 5000m race in 17:17.03 amidst wild cheers from the watching fans.

She convincingly beat eventual race winner Faith Chepkirui from Soroti, with Vicky Chekwemoi of Kapchorwa settling for silver and Tororo’s Lukia Chebet coming third for bronze, but all came a minute after her.

Chebet’s surprise combination of bare feet on a murram track, age, and running prowess caught the eyes of everyone at the hosting arena at the end of the race, all gathered in a spirit with gifts including money and scholastic materials to aid a start for her career.

First was Ndejje University’s Lillian Zawedde, who is at the games as an official from the Luwero-based institution, a partner with USSSA.

Zawedde first gave the young athlete money for spikes before announcing the offer of free education and continued support in her career.

“If the managers and the parents of this kid could allow it, we are ready to take her to Kampala and offer her free education and promote her talent. She can always go back home for training because we have many athletes we have promoted like that,” Zawedde said.

World athletics and commonwealth games steeplechase gold medalist Docus Inzikuru came in with more cash and words of encouragement.

Inzikuru, who is the presidential adviser of sports and owns Inzikuru athletics academy in Arua, is at the games for talent identification.

However, Zawedde’s offer may not go through, as one officer was heard saying the kid and a host of others on the list, have to stay in the high altitude so they don’t adapt to the conditions of the low lands like Kampala which would affect their career progress.

“We shall not accept anyone taking these kids from Bukwo, Kween, or Kapchorwa because we don’t want them to adapt to conditions unfavorable for running. We welcome the offers on the condition that these athletes remain in schools in Eastern Uganda,” The official said.  

Chebet hails from Bukwo district, the home of legendary Moses Ndiema Kipsiro, and goes to P.6 at Bukwo Elite Primary school.

She was discovered by a couple of athletics officials two years ago, who have since taken a keen to follow up on her by involving her in different races.

She was involved in her first national competition during the national cross country championship this year in Tororo where she finished 9th in the junior category before taking part in the national championships in June and also finished 9th in the 5000m.
Chebet is an outstandingly promising runner, who will need close and keen grooming, monitoring, and guidance from parents, teachers, the community, and Uganda Athletics Federation