All Africa Games: NCS chops 30 due to finances

Sep 02, 2015

High expectations turned to dismay as the national women’s basketball team were cut from Team Uganda’s All Africa Games contingent.


By Charles Mutebi

All Africa Games

Host city: Brazzaville, Congo Brazzaville

Dates: September 4 -19



High expectations turned to dismay as the national women’s basketball team (Gazelles) were cut from Team Uganda’s All Africa Games contingent.


Team Uganda was nearly halved, going from 67 athletes to 35, as the National Council of Sports (NCS) came to terms with a massive budget shortfall for the Games that start in Congo Brazzaville Wednesday (today).

Hopes of a last-minute government rescue were dashed when the NCS failed to secure the familiar presidential bailout, leading to the unbelievable step of subtraction.

Athletes did not only strive to qualify for the All Africa Games but invested heavily in subsequent preparation.

But the amputation led to a reduction in the size of eight teams (namely athletics, Paralympics, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, cycling, lawn tennis and beach volleyball).

For the Gazelles, however, it meant total exclusion. A cruel ending for a team that were going to make their Games debut.

“It’s crazy,” lamented one basketball official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The girls have given a lot. In the last week, they have been training from 7am - 9am. Even those who work were attending training first. This is just stressing because we were really looking forward to taking part.”

Only badminton and boxing were not affected by the changes, partly because their teams travelled earliest for the Games, on Saturday.

The two disciplines open their account today ahead of Thursday’s opening ceremony. The NCS have lamented that the recent spike in the dollar rate contributing to Team Uganda’s financial crisis.

“When we were making our plans for the Games, a plane ticket cost sh2.8m but by the time we bought them, each ticket cost sh5.5m,” explained Nicholas Muramagi, administrative assistant general secretary NCS.

 “In terms of the unit cost, that means over sh10m per athlete.”

All is set
 

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Two days ahead the official opening ceremony, Uganda’s ailing All Africa Games campaign gets underway as the badminton and boxing schedules start today at the Revolution and Talangai.

As many as 15, 000 people, including athletes, officials and media personnel, are expected to descend upon Brazzaville for the quadrennial continental Games officially opening on Thursday.

The Congolese government has invested nearly $700m to erect new and renovate old structures for the sports carnival that will feature 23 sports disciplines and ends on the 19th.

Badminton is the one sport most likely to bring Uganda a medal.

“We have Africa’s top seed [Edwin Ekiring],” Uganda badminton coach Ivan Karimundu told New Vision.

“He won silver at the last edition so we expect him to get us a medal, as well as Shamim Bangi. She has been in a training camp in Denmark for a month so she is sharp now.”

Uganda’s badminton team also includes Daisy Nakalyango and youngster Brian Kasirye.

Uganda’s boxing team, Bombers, is led by veteran coach Dick Katende and includes seven youngsters with the chance to continue Uganda’s rich boxing history at the Games.
 

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