Podium Joy Amidst Bahrain's Shadow Over Uganda

  Key information to be aware of: Among the 17 athletes competing in track and field events at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports C...

 

Key information to be aware of:

Among the 17 athletes competing in track and field events at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium, up until the last session, only Rebecca Chelangat had secured a gold medal — in the women's 10000 meters final.

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Team Uganda might have secured more prestigious medals in athletics at the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the East African country struggled to outperform Bahrain.

Among the 17 athletes competing in track and field events at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium, up until the last session, only Rebecca Chelangat had secured a gold medal — in the women's 10,000 meters final.

However, that achievement from Monday night could have been equalled, but later performances saw Uganda securing silver or bronze medals.

On Wednesday evening, Halimah Nakaayi, Shida Leni, and Charity Cherop each earned silver, bronze, and silver medals in their respective 800 meters, 400 meters, and 5000 meters race finals, all of which were claimed by athletes from Bahrain.

Although the 2019 world 400 meters champion, Salwa Naser, who was born in Nigeria, and the Olympic 3000 meters steeplechase titleholder, Mutile, could not compete with Leni and Cherop, it was evident that Nakaayi was content with finishing second to Nelly Korir.

Nakaayi's non-verbal cues were indifferent right after the race, although she composed herself to give a statement following the medal ceremony.

"Initially, I thank the Almighty God. Yes, I would say it has been a positive season. I have no complaints," stated the 31-year-old following a time of two minutes and 3.14 seconds.

"I express my gratitude to God for allowing me to secure this medal for my nation," she said. Nakaayi has now added to the silver medal she previously won at the 2017 event in Baku, Azerbaijan.

She took the lead from the start, guiding the group through the first lap at a relatively slow pace of 1:02.33, but Korir, who had a more substantial build and longer stride, pushed ahead with 200 meters remaining.

As Nakaayi kicked, it appeared impressive to watch, but the Bahraini athlete remained strong, ultimately pulling ahead in the final 50 meters to cross the finish line with a winning time of 2:02.59.

Moroccan Soukaina Hajji secured the bronze medal with a time of 2:04.34. Later during the women's lap final, Leni started from lane 4 and appeared to be behind as Naser in lane 6, Nigerian Patience Okon George in lane 7, and Guyana's Aliyah Nicola Abrams made fast starts.

Leni, 31, continued strongly, maintaining third position during the final 70 meters and then fending off Moroccan athlete Salma Lehlali on her left to claim the bronze medal with a time of 52.72 seconds.

Naser secured the gold with a time of 51.59, whereas George claimed the silver with a time of 51.93. “I am pleased with the bronze,” Leni remarked following her achievement of securing the nation's first sprint medal at the event.

"It's been a long season for me, and my body is extremely tired. Everything is fine, just my body is worn out. There's been no rest from the beginning of the season until now. The weather wasn't great, but I'm thankful for the bronze medal," she added.

Uganda's medal count in Riyadh reached 12 on the night when young athlete Charity Cherop recorded a time of 15:47.01 in the 5000 meters final, finishing behind Mutile. Mutile surged ahead on the home straight, achieving a time of 15:43.51, while Djiboutian runner Kadra Dembil claimed bronze with a time of 15:57.82.

Another Ugandan, Risper Cherop, could have earned a medal but she significantly declined from third place with two laps remaining, ultimately finishing fifth in 16:23.30.

Previously, Haron Adoli experienced a heartbreak after finishing fourth in the men's 400 meters final, recording a time of 46.66.

"It's very unfortunate," said Adoli, who had been limping throughout the race. "Missing out is unfortunate, another hard effort wasted, it's crazy! We focus on the positive side," he shared in his WhatsApp status early yesterday morning.

In the men's 1500 meters final, Tom Dradriga appeared confident, leading within the first 600 meters, but ultimately dropped to 11th place with a time of 3:58.65.

2025 ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY GAMES

ATHLETICS: WEDNESDAY NIGHT RESULTS

WOMEN’S 800 METRES FINAL

1 Nelly Korir (BHR) 2:02.59

2 Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) 2:03.14

3 Soukaina Hajji (MAR) 2:04.34

MEN’S 1500 METRES FINAL

1 Anass Essayi (MAR) 3:44.20

2 Mehmet Çelik (TUR) 3:44.50

11 Tom Dradriga (UGA) 3:58.65

WOMEN’S 400 METRES FINAL

1 Salwa Naser (BHR) 51.59

2 Patience Okon George (NGR) 51.93

3 Leni Shida (UGA) 52.72

MEN’S 400 METRES FINAL

1 Rachid M’hamdi (MAR) 45.40

2 Emmanuel Bamidele (UAE) 45.71

3 Gafari Atanda Badmus (NGR) 45.71

4 Haron Adoli (UGA) 46.66

WOMEN’S 5000 METRES FINAL

1 Winfred Yavi Mutile (BHR) 15:43.51

2 Charity Cherop (UGA) 15:47.01

3 Samiya Hassan Nour (DJI) 15:48.28

4 Kadra Mohamed Dembil (DJI) 15:57.82

5 Risper Cherop (UGA) 16:23.30

       

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