Ugandan Athlete Returns Home After Fleeing Olympic Camp
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published July 23, 2021 | 10:20 PM
Kampala, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2021 ) :A Ugandan weightlifter who went missing in Japan last week after his dreams of taking part in the Tokyo Olympics were dashed, returned home on Friday.
Julius Ssekitoleko, 20, was tracked down in Japan on Tuesday, several days after he fled from an Olympic training camp in an act a Ugandan minister had branded "unacceptable conduct and treachery".
The foreign ministry said Friday that Ssekitokelo -- who was greeted by government officials when he flew into Entebbe airport -- had "violated the code of conduct" of the Ugandan Olympic team and would now undergo counselling.
Ugandan officials said the athlete had found out he would not be able to compete at the Games because he did not meet Olympic standards in the latest international rankings.
A note was found in Ssekitoleko's hotel room in which he said he wanted to work in Japan and asked that his belongings be sent to his family in Uganda.
Salim Musoke Ssenkungu, president of the Ugandan Weightlifting Federation, told AFP last week that Ssekitoleko had been training "very hard" for his first Olympic weightlifting competition.
"He's not from a rich family so it took a lot of interest and energy from him to be successful," Ssenkungu said.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem said on Tuesday that the Ugandan government had already apologised to the government of Japan, adding: "It was unacceptable conduct and treachery."On Friday, the government said in a statement it was "committed to (Ssekitoleko's) continuous rehabilitation" to help him in his career, "but also help him understand how such acts of misconduct can not only affect him as an athlete but also other athletes in the sports sector and the nation at large".
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
U.S. envoy calls on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
Poland arrests man over suspected plan to kill Zelensky
EU wants to ease youth movement to and from UK
Police foils attempt of supply mainpuri raw material
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
10 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago
-
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
12 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
12 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
12 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
14 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
14 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre honoring Pir Hassam din Rashdi to take place on April 1
19 days ago