Beach Sprints: Rowing Trio Ready for Commonwealth Challenge

  Key Information: Rowing in Uganda has experienced greater engagement since Noble secured a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. ...

 

Key Information:

Rowing in Uganda has experienced greater engagement since Noble secured a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

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Uganda will send three rowers to the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprints Championships, taking place from November 21 to 23 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Male rowers Elijah Namunyu and Marcel Otim will join forces with their coach Kathleen Noble for the event.

"The young athletes were chosen due to their steady dedication, notable technical improvement, and the competitive attitude necessary for beach sprints," stated Batenga Nakisozi, who will lead the team with the assistance of a British coach, Thomas Wedgewood.

"They secured their position by demonstrating skill, adherence to rules, and willingness to face challenges at this level," she further stated.

Otim, set to participate in the junior men's singles event, has had an impressive year. He made his debut with the national team at the World U19 Rowing Championships in Lithuania in August, followed by appearances at the Occoquan Challenge and Head of the Schuylkill regattas in the USA, where he is also based, last month.

"Marcel keeps on growing and has demonstrated a solid ambition to progress through the junior levels," Batenga stated.

However, Namunyu participated in the 2025 East Africa Regional Beach Rowing Sprints held at Bunjako Beach, Mpigi, in June.

In Barbados, Namunyu will participate in the men's singles event and later team up with Noble for the mixed doubles. Noble, who recently took part in the women's masters' category at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, will also compete in the women's singles in Barbados.

"Kathleen is part of the team due to her global experience and her eagerness to keep guiding and motivating talented young athletes," Batenga mentioned while disclosing that the team has received support from the Uganda Olympic Committee, National Council of Sports, KLM Airlines, and Britam Insurance.

Strategic moves

Rowing in Uganda has experienced greater engagement since Noble secured a spot for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. For Namunyu and Otim, the routes toward their goals of participating in the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics are being thoughtfully planned.

"This tournament holds significance as it provides our athletes with a unique opportunity to test their skills against some of the top beach sprint rowers from the Commonwealth. Uganda is still an emerging rowing country, so each chance to compete on an international level speeds up our development, hones our competitive spirit, and strengthens our confidence. It's also a chance to highlight the perseverance and potential of our athletes, many of whom train with minimal resources yet keep pushing forward. These instances bring attention, draw support, and bring us closer to our long-term aim of becoming a competitive rowing nation," Batenga said.

Ugandan rowing has made a conscious effort to boost its profile, grow involvement, and provide current athletes with chances to compete at both national and international levels — with the rapidly developing beach sprints receiving particular attention after being added to the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, and the 2028 Olympics.

"Motivation arises only when individuals witness the sport, participate in it, and have clear routes to advance. Beach sprints offer an intelligent and practical path for the athletes we have selected to compete and qualify for the global level," Batenga stated.

       

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