OPINION

By Bernard Menzi

The recent trends in the Sports Sector, have revealed that we as a Country are not particularly keen about events unfolding in Sports in our Country.

Uganda has a lot of potential in the Sports Industry. We have the capacity as history has proved, to compete globally and win international tournaments. From the glorious days of John Akii- Bua (RIP), Patrick Etolu (RIP), Dorcus Inzikuru, Davis Kamoga, Phillip Omondi, Magid Musisi (RIP), John Mugabi Stephen Kiprotich, to the more recent Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda National Netball Team, to name but a few, Uganda's flag has always flown high as our National Anthem was being played so patriotically.

It is a beautiful scene to watch.

However, watching a victory for Uganda, in Sports, does not fully portray the true picture of what transpired behind the scenes, as the viewer is only treated to the glory that comes with a victory at the end, without understanding or even being made aware of the struggles that a Sports person has to endure in the process of seeking the said win.

Of course, no sports person can guarantee their excellence in sports, without the input of the Government or a global sponsor. As such, most prospective sports people end up either in oblivion because of frustration, or their talent is just never discovered.

Government of Uganda has tried its best, given the circumstances, to promote sports across the Country, but a lot more is needed.

There must be talent identification and nurturing from the grassroots. The recent decision by Federation of Uganda Football Associations – FUFA to begin tournaments for schools across the Country is a welcome endeavor in the Football Sector. However, identified talent must be nurtured until it has grown to a professional level, and the player is adequately remunerated for his/ her efforts.

Uganda Super League is also slowly regaining the confidence of Ugandans. However, in this regard too, Ugandans should pick up interest once again in our local football leagues, buy jerseys including our National Team Jersey, and pay entry fees to go and physically watch the games. These gate collections and other fees will help the sport grow locally.

Just as most Ugandans are ardent supporters of the English Premier League, in the same vein they should begin supporting our local teams too.

The support for other disciplines too is growing to overwhelming numbers. Examples include Basketball and Motorsport. The crowd and support in Motorsport is growing bigger by the day, and this is helping the sport grow too. The local competitions attract crowds in droves. The much coveted Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (POAUR) has attracted National, Regional and International attention.

We are thankful to Government of Uganda, most especially through the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda for advocating for adequate Legislation governing sports in Uganda. The National Sports Bill, 2022, is a welcome development with all its requisite interventions, and we look forward to it being assented to and passed into Law in Uganda. This law will greatly boost the Sports Sector.

However, Government of Uganda needs to do more to ensure that there’s accelerated growth of the Sports Sector in Uganda. More infrastructure like Stadia, Arenas, Olympic sized Swimming Pools, Track and Field event areas, should be built that meet global standards and the identification and nurturing of young talent should be emphasized.

Once the infrastructure has been set up in the Country, and we have accordingly started growing the young talent, we can comfortably say that we shall have completely taken over all sectors of the global stage in Sports and not even the sky will limit us.

The writer is a sports lawyer, Lex Sportiva, commissioner legal and disciplinary commission, Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda.