Road to Paris 2024 Olympics: Uganda Olympic Committee celebrates 40 days’ mark with school children

Overview:

It was truly evident that the educational themes of Olympism; Joy of effort in sport and physical activity; fair-play, respect for others, pursuit of excellence and balance between body, will and mind were being adhered to, to the dot.

Normal school business at the Police Children Primary School, Kibuli in Kampala city temporarily closed off on the morning of Friday, 14^th June 2024.

This was to permit the celebrations of Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) 40-day’s road map to the prestigious Olympic Games in Paris city, France (26^th July to 11^th August 2024).

Over 2000 pupils converged at the school playground as they freely interacted with the visiting delegation from Uganda Olympic Committee led by the president Dr Donald Rukare.

Smiles from young girls of Police Children Primary school

There was networking, dancing, singing, feasting and playing of some Olympic games as football, fencing, Gymnastics and taekwondo.

The DJ of the day, Jimmy Kamoga of XM International mixed the latest lyrics including Patrick “Alien Skin” Mulwana’s “Party” hit as the pupils shouted and sang aloud with wild dancing skills.

“We are humbled by the cooperation from Police Children Primary School management for allowing to have this event here. This is part of the build-up as we await the start of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. We have engaged with over 2000 pupils. This is to create awareness of what will be happening and promote the values of Olympism” Dr Rukare disclosed.

Dr Donald Rukare addresses the pupils of Police Children Primary school at Kibuli | Credit: Innocent Mutawe

This event was organized by the Sports For Social Development commission at the Uganda Olympic Committee.

The committee chairperson Simon Peter Komakech lauded the school management in a special way as he cemented the essence of such an event.

Dr Donald Rukare with Simon Peter Komakech (middle) and Hajji Swaibu Kawooya | Credit: Innocent Mutawe

“We have managed to organize a very wonderful event where over 2000 children were involved actively in the Olympic awareness program under the theme; “United Initiative Sharing the Spirit”. The children danced, played some Olympic games like fencing, taekwondo, Gymnastics and football. We also shared with them the food and T-Shirts in typical Olympic spirit” Komakech stated.

Police Children Primary School Kibuli head teacher Hajji Swaibu Kawooya hailed Uganda Olympic Committee for choosing their school among all.

Hajji Kawooya added that the event will motivate the pupils to work hard and strieve to become future Olympians.

“This event has been beneficial to us and our pupils. They will be motivated to hard work and become Olympians themselves. I thank UOC for choosing our school to host such an event” Hajji Kawooya revealed.

UOC officials and teachers at Police Children School Primary school

Some teachers as Allen Muzaki (Deputy Head mistress), Charity Tugume (P5), Hawa Namatome (Nursery), Jolly Kabikuru (Nursery), Immaculate Twebaze (P2), Ali Muliiro (P4) and Hawa Gulam (Nursery) were also actively involved.

Some of the pupils involved in the different sports disciplines expressed delight, with the hope to carry on for successful careers in life.

“I have been able to play football on the day UOC visited us. I want to maintain playing and become like my role model Kylian Mbappe” Emmanuel Opio, a primary six pupil disclosed.

Football playing at Police Children Primary school playground | Credit: David Isabirye

Fencing master Cuthbert Onyango with some children of Police Children Primary School | Credit: Innocent Mutawe

“I enjoyed the fencing. It is such an interesting sport and it shows me how to become defensive. I will continue to play this sport” Steven Olum, in P4 stated.

Fencing was handled by the master, Cuthbert Onyango, Geofrey Dravo (football) and William Nyeko was in charge of Taekwondo.

The Olympics in Paris, France will commence on 26^th July 2024 and climax by the 11^th August 2024.

Uganda is among the 206 confirmed countries and territories that will be participating.

These games attract over 15,000 athletes and will be viewed by over 4 billion people from all over the world via various media platform; television and social media.