Overview:
Personalities from the forces (UPDF, Army and Police) undertook the level 1 certification for Modern Pentathlon sport in Uganda.
“Make best use of the knowledge acquired” Simon Peter Komakech, president of the Uganda Modern Pentathlon Federation (UMPF) urged the 16 coaches who acquired Level 1 certification.
Komakech delivered this message as he was officiating at the closure of the week-long course conducted by Egyptian instructor Yasser Hefny at Kampala Parents school.
Flanked by the president of Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Dr Donald Rukare, Komakech challenged the coaches to spread wings.
“From the knowledge acquired, interest and teach as many athletes the basics of Modern Pentathlon so that the game grows beyond boarders” Komakech noted.
Rukare was glad that the administration of Modern Pentathlon involved the different stakeholders as the forces (Police, Army and Wildlife) in the development of this sport.
“I am happy that Uganda Modern Pentathlon has stakeholders as the army, police and wildlife. Please involve more stakeholders to help the spread grow. This is a very exciting and ancient sport, one of the oldest Olympic sports. As one of our members at UOC, we shall fully support their growth and development ” Rukare stated.
Egyptian instructor Yasser Hefny elucidated that this course elements of preparing athletes for events, organizing trainings, organizing events, coaching techniques that will enable coaches dispatch knowledge to athletes and other basics.
“If the facilities and mentality is there, Uganda in the future will be a big power house (of Pentathlon) in Africa,” Hefny, an Egyptian Pentathlete noted.
This was the first ever training of coaches for the Uganda Modern Pentathlon since the sport was introduced in 2017.
“We have been looking forward to this training for a while now and we are happy that it has finally happened. I believe that the awareness and technical knowledge of the game will help us attract more people to the sport.” Komakech revealed.
Olympian female boxer Emily Nanziri was one of the coaches who completed the course.
Nanziri, 36, has the hope that knowledge she acquired will definitely have an impact onto the development of this sport in Uganda.
“It is very good that we have learnt a couple of things about the sport of Modern Pentathlon. Hopefully, the knowledge will be passed on to the willing athletes and contribute to the growth of this sport” Nanziri remarked.
Six ladies were part of the 16 coaches in this non-residential course that had theory and practical sessions.
About Modern Pentathlon:
Modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport consisting of fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross country running.
The event is inspired by the traditional pentathlon held during the ancient Olympics.
The modern pentathlon was first held in 1912, and its rules have changed several times over the years.
The latest structure, as of the 2020 Olympics, consists of three separate events for fencing, swimming, and equestrian, which determine each athlete’s starting time in the final event.
The last event, called the laser-run, alternates four legs of laser pistol shooting followed by an 800 m run (for 3200 m in total).
The sport has been a feature of the Summer Olympic Games since 1912, despite several attempts to remove it.
A world championships for modern pentathlon has been held annually since 1949.
The governing body, Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), administers the international sport in more than 90 countries.
Successful coaches who completed UIPM CCP – Level 1 Coaching Course:
- Mark Ogwang
- Brenda Masendi
- Christopher Edward Mbowa
- Rosemary Babirye
- Brian Mukiibi
- Eddie Newton Alboho
- Hassan Ali Achidri
- Allen Nakimbugwe
- Emily Nanziri
- Amose Ochola
- Annet Kiiza
- Paul Oboloko
- Sandra Leila Drile
- Kassim Ssematimba
