By Frank Kamuntu
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, MaamaJanet Museveni yesterday flagged off Team Uganda ahead of the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 in France.
The games will run from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
During the flagging-off ceremony at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni revealed that he was happy that many young people are coming up to be good sportsmen and women.
He also informed the athletes that sports have a lot of benefits which include, fitness, character formation, entertainment, employment and creation of publicity.
On the other hand, President Museveni advised the athletes to be disciplined if they are to achieve their dreams.
“Strictly good living is very important to be able to reach your potential. Of course, the sports period is very short, and you need to use that time well,” he urged.
The President further disclosed that the government is investing more in sports in order to enhance the sector.
“We have done a few things like peace in the country, these children from Kapchorwa are able to run because Karamojongs no longer disturb them,” President Museveni said.
“Then going to school; we need to have education totally free. We have been fighting for this but some people want to bring back the charges, but we really want to make it free because that is how some children come up [through the education system] and then we identify them.”
The President also encouraged the athletes to join the army, police and prison services as a tactic to preserve their skills.
“I always encourage our young people to join the army, police and the prisons because when you are there, you have got a small salary, some accommodation and time to train.”
Maama Janet congratulated the athletes for the lifetime achievement of representing Uganda in the greatest gathering of athletes in the world.
“I challenge you to take on this role of being ambassadors of your country with such humility because someone else could have taken your place on this team – but God chose that this be your season to glorify Him with your body through sports. If you clothe yourself with the humility that such a service requires, you shall be able to resist the pride that comes with such an opportunity. And we all know what pride can do to us – it simply brings us down,” she said.
The First Lady also thanked President Museveni for his total dedication to supporting sports in the country.
“You have been there and available when we call upon you to flag off our various sports teams. You have championed the improvement of our sportsmen and sportswomen. You have been true to your word that as our revenues improve as a country, we shall see more investments in Sports – and indeed we are seeing all this come to pass,” Maama Janet noted.
She also revealed that the government of Uganda has funded the development of the world-class National High Altitude Training Centre at Teryet in Kapchorwa – and the first phase is now complete.
“And of course, the world-class stadium being developed in Hoima City as well as the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City are designed to be fully established with facilities for not only football but all athletics disciplines. Mr. President, we are grateful that these facilities, once complete, shall facilitate a total transformation in the development of young sportsmen and women in our country right from the grassroots way beyond AFCON 2027.”
The Ambassador of France to Uganda, H.E Xavier Sticker assured President Museveni that France as the host country is ready to play its part in ensuring that the games are a success.
“France is ready to play its hospitality part.”
The President of the Uganda Olympic Committee – Dr. Donald Rukare informed the President and the First Lady that Uganda will be represented by a team of 25 athletes in Paris.
“This is the same number of athletes that we took to Tokyo 2021 and through our Hon. Minister who is the chair of the local organising committee together with Maama our First Lady, the support to sports has been progressive,” he said.
The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, the Ministry of Education and Sports Permanent Secretary, Ms. Ketty Lamaro, the Chairperson of the National Council of Sports, Mr. Ambrose Tashobya, among others.
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