By Javier Silas Omagor
Halima Nakaayi’s move to run for an elective position of Athletes’ Committee representative at the World Athletics Championships has impressed her personal coach Addy Ruiter.
In a highly contested race, Nakaayi is the only candidate hailing from Africa and is currently considered to be one of the strong frontrunners.
The world 800m defending champion will know her fate prior to the World Athletics Championships slated for this month (July) in Eugene city, Oregon State in USA.
Now, speaking exclusively to Kampala Sun, Ruiter, has endorsed the 27 year old for the position.
“I am very excited that Halima is running for this position,” the Dutchman hailed.
The renowned athletics coach continued: “She is one of the few Ugandan athlets I know not afraid to give her opinion in this culture, which is mainly dictated by men.”
Ruiter is confident of Nakaayi’s exposure and abilities to constructively represent athletes’ globally.
“Halima is an intelligent young woman who is well travelled and can stand up for the rights of athletes, in particular, African female athletes, once she is given the opportunity to be in the athletes committee.
“There have been many incidents in recent years of female athletes being exploited by their spouses, managers or coaches.
“The most poignant example is the murder of the Kenyan Athlete allegedly by her husband in 2021.
“In Uganda, boyfriends and husbands decide on how a female athlete should spend the money she earns from her talent.
“These are things Halima wants to fight against and I can only praise her for that,” Ruiter who coaches Nakaayi under Global Sports Communication.
Meantime, the coach wants his trainee to concentrate on defending her world title and mind less about what will become of her bid.
It should be noted that besides Nakaayi, Ruiter coaches the country’s all time athlete, Joshua Cheptegei, legendary Peruth Chemutai, Stephen Kissa, Esther Chebet and Prisca Chesang among others.
