World over, one of the key bench marks for the effective development of sports lies upon the availability of equipment for the players in question.
Well-conditioned playing fields, positive attitude from sportsmen, government’s will power, good administrators, healthy political environs, fans’ overwhelming passion and sheer natural talent coupled with diligence by the athletes are quite other underlying factors to spell the success script for sportsmen and women.
Financial resources permitting, all the aforementioned combine to a country’s development of sound sports systems, obviously with the right players’ equipment in place.
In Uganda, the French Embassy and the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) have realized the need to have in place good sports equipment as a means of developing the sector, moreover, from the grassroots level.
The two institutions on Thursday (22nd February 2018) generously donated an assortment of sports gear to Police Children Primary School, one of the oldest elementary public schools in Kampala, the Ugandan capital.
The equipment included football and netball posts, volleyball net, balls for volleyball, netball, football, training bibs and a ball pump.
The hand -over of this equipment was done at the school premises, as witnessed by the entire school population, teachers, UOC officials, representatives from the French Embassy, Uganda Police and members of the media.
Headmistress of Police Children Primary School, Flugence Namatta appreciated the French Embassy and UOC for such a generous act that she envisaged as a stepping stone to developing sports at the school.
We are very happy for such sports items given to us by the Uganda Olympic Committee and the French Embassy. These will further motivate the students playing the several games.
Uganda Olympic Committee President William Blick in his brief address before the handover of the equipment commended the French Embassy for the initiative started during the 2018 Uganda-France week celebrations.
My sincere appreciation to the people of France.
We have donated equipment and provided the coaches for the various games to help the children get good training.
We want Police Children to participate in more Olympic activities
Ambrose Atwooki, the KCCA director of Social Services, who represented the Executive Director Jenifer Musisi, hinted on the process of helping the 79 KCCA managed schools in Kampala.
We have started with Police Children Primary School.
There is a bold plan to extend and help all the other KCCA managed schools in Kampala.
The French Embassy Public Relations Official, Alfred Onek (representing the French Ambassador to Uganda, Stephanie Rivoal) saluted the efforts of the UOC, Police and other stake holders.
He promised that the Embassy will continue to support other schools in Kampala.
We shall continue to support more children in the Kampala schools before spreading countrywide.
This year’s Uganda-France week celebrations will run from 17th to 24th March 2018.
The chief guest at the hand-over of the equipment was the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Afande Andrew Sorowen.
Sorowen highlighted on the present situation in Uganda where the country is immensely blessed with talent but equipment remains a big undoing;
Uganda has a lot of talent but we do not have enough equipment.
We therefore thank UOC and the French Embassy in Uganda.
As Police, we are ready to promote sports in the country and this is the reason Police takes part in most sports disciplines and activities including the Olympic day celebrations.
Sports helps bridge the gap between the community and the Police.
There are five coaches who will help handle the sporting children at the school.
These are; Aisha Nalumansi (Netball), Yayiro Kasasa (Rugby), Julius Ekabu (Football), Yusuf Kiranzi (Volleyball) and Faruku Baruku (Aerobics).
Meanwhile, UOC also used the plat form to launch the school Olympic Spirit Club where the school’s game teacher Solomon Bukenya will play a key role with the coaches.
