The new 5000m World record holder, Joshua Cheptegei, arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya at 3am aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on Sunday 16 / 8 / 2020, a day after breaking a 16-year-old record at the Diamond League in Monaco.
The record holder, who broke the previous record by almost 2 minutes, was accompanied by fellow athletes Kissa Stephen, Halima Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo who also participated in the Diamond League.
The Athletes were received by the Uganda High Commission officials Mr. Jeremiah Guma (Foreign Service Officer) and Evelyn Namatende (administrative Attaché) who were filled with immense joy on receiving the athletes.
Cheptegei together with the other athletes expressed delight at being received by the Ugandan officials on their arrival stating that despite the COVID 19 pandemic, they were still accorded a befitting welcome from the Uganda High Commission Officials.
Upon arrival, Mr. Cheptegei, conveyed a sincere message of gratitude to the officials of the Uganda High Commission for the warm reception that was accorded to him and the entire Ugandan Team and emphasised that;
“This is a true fulfilment and true proof that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still alive and that the Government is still at work even beyond Uganda’s borders.”
The Athletes immediately departed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 3:45am enroute to Uganda.
They were escorted to the Malaba Border by the Uganda High Commission officials and the Kenyan Diplomatic Police Escorts.
The team is expected to arrive at the Malaba border today where they will be handed over to the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports Officials.