KAMPALA — The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has flagged off World champion Joshua Cheptegei to Czech Republic for the Ostrava Golden Spike slated for Wednesday May,19.
Cheptegei, who refers to himself as the ‘Silverback’ of the Pearl of Africa took on a voluntary Ambassador role for destination Uganda.
A silverback is the alpha male in the gorilla family – and Cheptegei, has since February this year, been the brand ambassador for destination Uganda – the home for over population of gorillas in the world.
While in the European Nation, the dominant Silverback who is new to this competition, says will attempt to break the world record in 3000m.
I want to use this competition to sharpen my speed ahead of Olympics, ” Cheptegei said.
He is the tenth man in history to hold the 5,000 m and 10,000 m world records concurrently, both set in 2020.
Cheptegei was the winner of the senior men’s race at the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark.
He won in 31:40 on the 10.24 km course.
Claire Mugabi, the marketing manager for UTB says Cheptegei will market Uganda as safest destination in the region.
“We believe he has the strength to win which is why we named him Silverback,” Mugabi said
