Sports boost

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated government’s commitment to continue supporting sports excellence in Uganda which he described as a culmination of broad-based development and transformation.

“Like if there’s no peace in the country, how will sports thrive,” Museveni said, adding that personalities like John Akii-Bua won Gold in September 1972 when the country was insecure but more medals are coming up in areas like Kapchorwa because “there’s some peace in that area now.”

Janet Museveni highlighted exceptional performances of Uganda’s sports stars Cheptegei, Chemutai, The Olympic medalist, Kiplimo and Nakaayi (PPU Photo)

The President made the remarks while at State House, Entebbe on Thursday where he and the First Lady also Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni had hosted different groups of sportsmen and women under the National Council of Sports who recently excelled in the different sporting activities at world and continental stages.

The group of Athletes made the country proud in different competitions like The World Athletics Championships – Oregon USA where Uganda won Gold and other medals, The Rugby Seven’s World Cup – Santiago, Chile that Uganda won, The FINA World Junior Championships – Lima, Peru; The 44th Commonwealth Games Birmingham, England, United Kingdom in which Uganda won Gold, The 5th Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation Games in Konya, Turkey; The World U20 Championship in Athletics Cali, Republic of Colombia and The African Cricket Association T20 Cup – Benoni South Africa.

Museveni said sports personalities like John Akii-Bua won Gold in September 1972 when the country was insecure but more medals are coming up in areas like Kapchorwa because “there’s some peace in that area now (PPU Photo)

Other competitions were; The CANA Swimming championships – Tunis, Tunisia; The 22nd Africa Senior Championships – Cote D’ Ivoire, The Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens in Kampala, Uganda; The 44th Chess Olympiad – Chennai India; and The All-Africa Senior Badminton Championships 2022 in Kampala Uganda.

Overall, the teams won 20 medals: 6 Gold, 6 Silver and 8 Bronze. Additionally, the Cricket Team won the African Cricket Association T20 Cup, while the Rugby team won the Africa Men’s Sevens Cup. Uganda also won a silver medal at the All-Africa Senior Badminton Championships.

“I congratulate those who won medals, congratulations. But I also congratulate those who participated even if they didn’t win medals,” Museveni said.

Janet congratulated Team Uganda for raising the Ugandan flag high at different sports events this year (PPU Photo)

According to President Museveni, sports is aimed at among other qualities, building teamwork and stamina, entertaining, determination, competing and excelling, not forgetting to be well known in the world, something which Team Uganda has done very well.

“Sports is a good training area in all these qualities. I thank you sports people for taking advantage of the opportunities which have come to Uganda in the 36 years because of peace and coming out to use your talent,” Gen Museveni said.

The Head of state reiterated his commitment to support medalists who win at continental, commonwealth, Olympics Games and All Africa games with placement in the government structures like the army, Uganda Police and Uganda wildlife Authority “so that when they’re placed there, they earn a living, keep training and also do a service to the nation”, citing an example of Gold Medalists Steven Kiprotich, Joshua Cheptegei and others who are employed in Uganda Prisons service and Uganda Police Force respectively.

The fountain of honour also reassured athletes that they will continue to be given a monthly payment of 5 Million Shillings for Gold Medalists, 3 Million shillings for Silver Medalists and 1 Million shillings for Bronze Medalists per month and also develop sports infrastructure across the country.

The President rewarded outstanding sports men and women and encouraged them to get involved in the Parish Development Model (PDM) (PPU Photo)

“This was in order to motivate but also support our sports people. But I still insist that with sports what you’re doing now is just the beginning (endozo).”

The President encouraged Sportsmen and women to get involved in the Parish Development Model (PDM) that is aimed at getting all the homes out of what he termed as “moneylesness”. 

“Now you’ll see how that will impact sports. The PDM is part of sports development in-terms of money making and good nutrition to support sports,” The President added.

He also supported the idea of appropriating the coaches of different sports disciplines.

“Because you cannot reward the product and forget the planter. That’s not good. We shall see how to handle them in a systematic way,” Museveni assured.

At the same function, the President also handed over a land title to the family of the late John Akii-Bua who won the first gold for Uganda in 1972. He also handed over a vehicle to the long-distance runner Victor Kiplangat who won Uganda her first ever Marathon gold at the Commonwealth games. Kiplagat recorded the fastest time of 2:10:55 to clinch gold in Birmingham in July this year.

The First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports Janet congratulated Team Uganda for raising the Ugandan flag high at different sports events this year and appreciated the financial support received from the Government.

“Your Excellency, our sportsmen and women did not win medals, their performance, nonetheless, was exceptional and enabled Uganda to be highly ranked at the different events, raising our profile especially in the Africa region,” Janet Museveni said before highlighting a few exceptional performances like that of the Olympic Gold medalist, 3-time World champion in athletics and world record holder in 5000m and 10000m Joshua Cheptegei, The Olympic Champion in 3000m steeplechase, Peruth Chemutai, The Olympic medalist, Commonwealth Games “double champion” and world record holder in the half marathon event, Jacob Kiplimo and The 2019 World Champion in 800m Halima Nakaayi, not forgetting the two of Uganda’s netball players; Peace Proscovia and Nuba Mary who received “The Most Valuable Player” titles in tournaments they played this year.

“This would not have been possible if these team members had not intentionally exerted themselves through hard work and their personal sacrifice, which enabled them to excel,” The First Lady added.

Mrs. Museveni also informed the President about another team of 990 young sportsmen and women from 43 schools who participated in the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Association games, where 4 countries participated and Uganda emerged overall champions with a total of 41 medals: 18 Gold, 10 Silver, and 13 Bronze.

“Mr President, it is my hope that at an appropriate time you consider hosting them as well,” she added.

As a Minister of Education and Sports, she further noted that the Government is making substantial investments in sports development like the Teryet Training Centre which she visited on Tuesday this week.

“We are hopeful that when the construction of the High – Altitude Centre in Teryet and the renovation of Nambole National Stadium are complete, we will have standard facilities, not only for training but also for hosting international sports events,” The Minister noted.

The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang said different countries have already written to the Ministry to visit and start using Teryet Training Centre in Kapchorwa.

Former Gold medalist Steven Kiprotich who represented the Chairperson of National council of sports and Joshua Cheptegei also addressed the gathering.

The president of Uganda Olympic Committee, Dr Donald Rukaare and the Government Chief Whip who was the Contingent commander for the Commonwealth Games 2022 as a state Minister for Sports at that time, Hamson Obua also thanked government for supporting the sports sector that has marketed Uganda internationally. 

“There’s no single success registered without your strategic leadership Mr. President and the guidance of Mama the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports,” Hamson Obua said. 

Also present at the ceremony were MPs from Sebei region, representatives form Uganda Netball Federation and Presidents of different sports Federations, Members of the National council of sports, Executive committee members of Uganda Olympic committee among others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZxP0k-lXLs