KAMPALA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Uganda have been forced to downsize their squad for the 2018 African Youth Games over a lack of funding.
The Games, which feature 20 sporting disciplines and deemed as a trial run for the Olympic Games in 2020 will take place from July 17-27 in Algiers, Algeria.
"We had hoped to field 41 athletes in different disciplines, but some like hockey, basketball and beach volleyball are not traveling because of lack of funds," the Uganda Olympic Committee's assistant coordinator Arthur Nuwagaba told Xinhua on Monday.
Nuwagaba said the team that travels on Monday will now have 32 athletes. He explained that although the government catered for the kits and allowances, individual federations had to fund their athletes' travel to the Games.
"I am well prepared for the Games, although I know I will face stiff competition from some players from Egypt, Morocco and Zambia," Uganda's badminton player Brian Kasirye told Xinhua before departure.
Grace Ndagire, from Uganda's two-man rowing team, said she was eager to perform well and qualify for the World Youth Olympics.
Uganda will now field 10 athletes in track and field events, six swimmers, two rowers, one badminton player, a handball team of 12 and one weightlifter.
The African Youth Games for athletes between 14-18 years is an international multi-sport event held every four years to complement the All-Africa Games.
