Team Uganda gets Tooke nutritional boost ahead of Commonwealth Games departure

The Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) director, Professor Florence Isabirye Muranga, has encouraged Uganda's Commonwealth Games-bound athletes to fully embrace evidence-based nutritional recommendations as an integral part of their pursuit of sporting excellence.

Before the various teams departed for the games on Tuesday, Muranga and her team, including Andrew Matovu, the Head of Business Development at the PIBID Project, handed each athlete customised nutritional products to supplement their diet during the competition.

Each athlete was also provided with a sports nutrition manual to guide their nutritional needs throughout the games.

"As we embark on this prestigious journey, you carry not only the hopes and aspirations of our nation, but also the pride, resilience, and determination that define the Ugandan spirit, which we at TOOKE call the TOOKE spirit," Muranga said.

"May you compete with courage, discipline, integrity, and excellence, knowing that an entire nation stands firmly behind you, cheering you on every step of the way."

She emphasised that the sports nutrition manuals were carefully crafted to provide science-backed nutrition strategies and practical food timing protocols.

"These sports nutrition manuals that are put together have been put together really with a lot of love to provide science-backed nutrition strategies and practical food timing protocols that will support your preparation, enhance performance, accelerate recovery, and help you perform at your highest potential throughout the competition," she stated. "May your dedication and hard work be rewarded with exceptional performance that inspires our nation and leaves a lasting legacy for a future generation of the Ugandan community."

Muranga recommended an instant Tooke porridge with milk every day, a milky shake for recovery after competition, and snacks in between to keep the athletes energised. She also advised them to consume energy-infusing products and power cookies (sportsman biscuits) to maintain high energy levels throughout the games.

The athletes also received words of encouragement from International Olympic Committee (IOC) member William Blick, Commonwealth Games Uganda (CWGU) vice president Moses Mwase, and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich, who all offered valuable advice to the travelling contingent.

Blick wished the team the best of luck and reminded them of the enormous responsibility they carry. "You are carrying the hopes of 47 million Ugandans. So may God bless you with journey mercies. You are our ambassadors, and we wish you the best. To the coaches, thank you very much for pushing the young ladies and the young men to do their best. To our sponsor, our dear partner, thank you. It's very rewarding for you to come and step in and provide nutrition and sponsorship for our team," Blick stated.

Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich, who famously won gold for Uganda at the 2012 London Olympics, advised the athletes to seek divine intervention before each of their competitions and ask God to guide their efforts. He reminded them that they too have the opportunity to achieve greatness, just as he did at one of the major games. "I wish you all well. I wish you good health. Even if we win or we don't win, always don't give up," Kiprotich counselled.