A deadly death threat text message from a female has made 10,000 meters double Commonwealth gold medalist Moses Ndiema Kipsiro, withdraw from the national team at the eleventh hour as they were setting off for the 41st World Cross Country Championships due this Saturday in Guiyang, China.
Kipsiro appeared after the flag-off ceremony at the National Council of Sports claiming that he was unsettled as someone had sent him a threatening message on his phone.
Kipsiro had travelled all the way to Kapchorwa and had attended the training camp in preparation for the event. The case has already been sent to the police investigation department and details are that its owner is female though they are still tracking her down.
He was counselled by the UAF executive members present and also National Council of Sports but did not budge walking out of the bus.
This is the third time Kipsiro has pulled out of the race.
In April, he did not turn up despite having confirmed to travel for the World Road Running championships.
He had in Glasgow been contacted and said that we was ready to compete in the Africa Senior championships but after the federation bought the air ticket of $1,700, he switched off his phones.
What hurts the federation is that another Athlete Abdallah Mande had to be dropped from the team and nothing can be done now since the final entry was done March 15 and the visa process takes a minimum of three days.
“We are so disappointed. We have tried all we can. Denying other athletes a chance to compete when you know you are not travelling is bad,” explained Beatrice Ayikoru, the secretary of UAF
IAAF, the world athletes body will fine Uganda Athletics Federation for Kipsiro’s withdrawal.