KIU, Main Campus - Omara Geoffrey is still very hopeful and determined to represent Uganda at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics despite its postponement as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 200 and 400 meters specialist is undergoing individual training for at least three hours daily. 

The 26-year-old sprinter is one of the many athletes from all over the country that were supposed to go for Olympics trials at Namboole Stadium on Saturday, 28th March 2020 before the event was postponed by the Uganda Athletics Federation, to 5th May 2020, following a country-wide shut down of all sporting activities as a measure against the spread of COVID-19.

"I am working hard enough and eating as well as I can to make sure my dream comes true," Geoffrey says. " I am not scared by the delay but no matter what, I am ready to do my best during the trials and go for Olympics." 

Geoffrey insists he will go for the 400 metre race where one is required to beat a 44-seconds speed mark to qualify to represent Uganda at any international competition, including The Olympics. This is also the standard for all countries in the world. 

Born on 28th October, 1993 in Agwenonywal village, Nakatiti parish, Muntu sub-county in Amolatar district, Omara Geoffrey discovered his sporting ability as early as he started walking and running.

"Athleticism is in my family's bloodline and I think it is because of this that I have been a sports man since I learnt how to walk," Geofrey narrates. 

He went to Ebenezar Nursery and Primary School, Amucha SDA Secondary School, and Mbale Comprehensive Secondary School before completing his high school at Masaka Secondary School where he studied under a scholarship due to his exceptional football skills, just like it was throughout all the schools he attended. 

Initially his name was Omara Joe, but during the 2005 National Primary Schools Championships in Kabale, one of the officials suggested Geoffrey instead of Joe as his name. 

"This was the beginning of the irresistible Geoffrey you see today," he brags. 

In 2015, the irresistible Geofrey joined KIU to pursue a Bachelor of Laws, but with a burning desire to play for the university soccer team. Due to his agility, strength, confidence, determination, and prolific football skills, Omara was indeed recruited to play on the University soccer team as a striker. 

As time went by, the team coach then, told him that he would be better at athletics than in soccer. This was the turning point of the now Olympic hopeful, Omara Geofrey. 

"When the coach told me that I would do better in athletics, I decided to dedicate my time to practice by running 200 and 400 meters," Geofrey explains. 

The tall, humble and ever jolly sprinter was supposed to represent the university in 2017 at the International University Games, only to be disappointed by a back injury that ruled him out of competitive sports for nearly two years. 

In 2019, Geoffrey made a tremendous return to sport, athletics in particular, winning two gold medals in the 200 and 400 meters while representing his district, Amolatar, in the national championships. 

"It is my brother who encouraged me to come back to the track, otherwise I had given up," Geofrey says. 

His brother Harold Adoli, also a student at KIU, finished at the semifinal level when he represented Uganda at all Africa Games in Morocco last year. 

Geoffrey says that most talents go unnoticed because individuals lack critical eyes to direct them. He urges young people to befriend experts and stars if they are to make their talents tick. 

"The most important thing for young people is to reach out to stars and seek for advice but also to be confident, determined, hardworking, humble, and respectful," Geofrey explains. "Your talent will definitely tick and you will be a star."

Apart from eyeing an Olympics qualification, Geoffrey is looking forward to winning major awards nationally and internationally, and greater scholarships, as well as finishing his legal career.