Achieng set for Masters Fencing course in South Africa

Uganda Fencing Association (UFA) athlete Melissa Achieng has promised to take the sport to another level after she completes a one-year Diploma Master's Fencing Course in South Africa.

Busia Lomino Fencing Club’s Achieng made the assurance after he was seen off for the training and competition program sponsored by the International Fencing Federation by National Council of Sports General Secretary-Technical Milton Chebet at the NCS offices on Thursday.

I’m ready to do whatever it takes to take this sport to another level because I have had people who are yearning to learn about this sport,” Achieng said.

“So, I’m going to use this opportunity to go and train, study and ensure that everything I learn there I transfer the knowledge to the youngsters back home who are interested. I will put in the effort to ensure they move to the next level. I will push them to better themselves,” Achieng stated. After the one-year training, Achieng will have to train at least 50 local coaches as per the conditions set for her by the international federation and the UFA’s memorandum of agreement.

UFA president Kenneth Oringa said that with Achieng attending the training, Uganda has a realistic chance of sending at least one athlete to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

“We have the African championship in Nigeria and the World Championships coming up later. These are both qualifiers, so we still have a 50-50 chance to participate in the Olympics,” Oringa said.

He said that currently, there are 69 clubs in the country engaged in the sport, which Senegal-trained Masters Coach Kathbert Onyango visits regularly and trains. We have representation in all these districts.  We have committees, we have chairpersons, and we are looking forward to boosting them with equipment when we are supported by the International Federation,” Oringa noted. “When she returns, she has to serve the association for two years as a volunteer, but we also expect her to participate in international competitions in between her diploma course.”

NCS’s Chebet urged the association to continue promoting the Olympic sport so that it not only gains national recognition but also promotes the values of the sport, and to get some athletes who can represent the country. He also encouraged them to build capacity by training coaches and sports teachers and to take advantage of USSSA activities, where they can exhibit and expand their reach.

“Be focused; concentrate on what has taken you there, because you have an uphill task when you come back. So, return with a plan and share it with the association. Remain disciplined, and everything will work out for you.”