Teso leaders call for sports facilities to unlock regional talent

Leaders in the Teso sub-region have renewed calls for the establishment of sports facilities, describing them as the only way to nurture and identify talents that remain untapped in the area.

Speaking at Soroti University, Vice Chancellor Prof. J.R. Ikoja Odongo addressed more than 160 sports administrators and managers who had gathered for a three-day Sports Administration and Management course, which concluded on Friday.

The training, organised by the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) in collaboration with Soroti University and Uganda Athletics, was aimed at strengthening governance skills among sports leaders.

“We as Soroti University agreed to partner with UOC to ensure this course is held in Teso for the first time. I believe it will improve sports governance in the region,” Prof. Ikoja said.

He emphasized that the lack of sports facilities remains a major obstacle to talent identification and development at the grassroots. Soroti University, he revealed, has already earmarked land for a sports arena, but its development will require support from government and well-wishers.

Prof. Ikoja further noted that sports play a vital role in regional development and urged government to invest more in the sector.

“The only way to market Uganda and keep the youth away from crime and stress is to promote sports. If people were engaged in sports, you would see stronger communication and unity in communities,” he added.

Soroti District Sports Officer Richard Etidu admitted that the district currently has no gazetted land for a sports ground.

“You can see Soroti district has no designated sports ground, which is why we are here at the school playing field,” she explained.

Etidu said the challenge could be addressed if government increased sports funding at the lower local government level to facilitate the creation of district sports facilities. She confirmed that she has already written to the office of the Soroti District Chairperson requesting land allocation for a facility that could host multiple disciplines, including football, netball, athletics, basketball, and rugby.

The Teso region comprises eleven districts: Soroti City, Soroti District, Amuria, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Bukedea, Serere, Kalaki, and Kaberamaido. Leaders believe that with proper facilities, the region could become a hub for sporting excellence in Uganda.