In the past, Uganda has lost out on hosting international sporting events due to the absence of state-of-the-art sports facilities.

However, this might come to an end as Uganda is finalising a sports development exchange program with South Africa.

The talks between both parties are in advanced stages.

Uganda's ambassador to South Africa, Paul Amoru believes Uganda will benefit immensely from the rich sports development plan that South Africa has.

“We are working tirelessly with the government of South Africa in regards to an exchange program that will help improve the sports facilities that Uganda has and enable our motherland to boost sports tourism with the state-of-the-art facilities in place,” Amoru noted.

He said after visiting the national hockey men’s team in Pretoria, South Africa for the African hockey Olympics qualifiers.

Amoru also confirmed that a draft document has already been sent to the Ministry of Education and Sport and the National Council of Sports.

“We would like to emulate the vision of South Africa that invested in sports infrastructure development, and allowing athletes to use them and also reaping from sports tourism by hosting the continental and international events,” Amoru stated.

Through this plan, sports infrastructure will also be key in different institutions and schools, and in the end, it will contribute to the development of talent in the country.

Efforts to get in touch with NCS officials for feedback on how far the plans have gone were all fruitless.

Ambassador Amoru also tasked federations to adhere to the requirements set by the new sports law of having their sports disciplines in 75% of the districts in the country to widen the talent identification base.

“I knew little about hockey but it’s today that I have noticed how interesting and fun a sport it is, please go back and spread the sport to other sports of the country as the new sports law demands,”

He also thanked the minister of education and sports for sports and first lady of Uganda Janet Museveni for the fight to have the sports budget increased to favor sports disciplines like hockey.

“I also want to thank the first lady Janet Museveni and the state minister of sports Peter Ogwang for the efforts put in place to see that sports grow throughout the country.”