New Programme Provides Sporting Opportunities to Uganda's Youth
October 1, 2021
A group of sports enthusiasts have come together to start a sports support programme for schools in Uganda, covering training, mentoring and facilitation of tutors. Rhinos Athletic Club (RAC) in conjunction with the UK-based Sports Uganda and Teso Professionals Enterprise Development Organisation (TESO PEDO) are offering support to schools in the Kumi District, through its Satellite Primary Schools Programme (SSP).
Earlier this year, members travelled to Kumi to launch the programme, including Paul Mukama, the head of operations at RAC, rugby coaches, Roger Sebina and Herbert Wafula, and Andrew Byekwaso, the CEO of Sports Uganda. The team started the programme at Akadot Primary School, 27kms from Kumi Town, in Mukorongoro Sub-county with activities using football, rugby and athletics.
Encompassing more than 130 schools, the programme will use sport as a tool for development, including financial and social transformation, environmental conservation and computer literacy. Eventually, it will expand to cover the whole of Uganda. According to Mission Direct, almost half of Kumi is under 15 and are all desperate for education.
According to the Daily Monitor, while sports can foster peace, unity, good health, economic growth and poverty alleviation, to be effective, there is a need in Uganda for policies that enable the establishment of sports facilities and personnel to nurture and guide sports talent.
The launch of the SSP in Mukono, earlier in September was in partnership with RAC, Sports Uganda and Golden Impact Sports Club (GISC), which focuses on impacting the lives of children through sports.
"The partnership with a progressive organization like Rhino Athletics Club will be remembered in the history of Golden Impact Sports Club as we strive to help these young lives reach their full potential. That is to make it to a professional sports level or to improve on their lives outside sport," says Mr Samuel Odongo, the CEO and Managing Director of GISC.
SSP will teach sports skills and other life skills through the various sports. This will also include training and upskilling academics teachers, physical education teachers and sports tutors in various districts so that they are prepared to nurture talented youth. RAC and its partners are also committed to embedding SDG 13-Action Against Climate Change and SDG 4- Quality Education (reducing the digital education divide) at the heart of SSP.
The launch sporting event in Akadot, Kumi, culminated in a five-a-side match between some of the children who had been trained during the day. The match occurred in a small area, to ensure the children got as many touches of the ball as possible; and to also promote quick thinking during the game in order to get past opponents and also promote teamwork.
At the end of the launch, trees were planted in the school compound by children of Akadot Primary School.
Source: The Daily Monitor