UOC president Rukare urges coaches to lead in athlete development
Dr. Rukare also underscored the critical role coaches play in protecting athletes from doping, urging them to safeguard their athletes’ integrity.
Uganda Olympic Committee President Dr. Donald Rukare addresses trainees during the athletics coaches training at Kyambogo University, as Uganda Athletics Federation President Dominic Otucet (right) looks on.
Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) President Dr. Donald Rukare has called on athletics coaches to take a proactive role in identifying and nurturing athletic talent across the country.
His remarks came during the opening ceremony of the five-day World Athletics Level I Coaches Training Course held at Kyambogo University.
“Aspire to be the best coaches not only in Uganda but globally. That’s when opportunities will begin to open up,” Rukare encouraged. He emphasized the importance of integrity and transparency in coaching, noting, “There are no shortcuts to success.”
Dr. Rukare also underscored the critical role coaches play in protecting athletes from doping, urging them to safeguard their athletes’ integrity. He challenged coaches to embrace the digital era, stressing the need for active email communication to access opportunities from World Athletics and the Olympic movement.
“As coaches, you must be scientific in your approach and capable of identifying an athlete’s potential,” he said. “Think of yourself as a coach of the future, and envision what tomorrow holds for you, your athletes, and the sport. The landscape of athletics is constantly evolving.”
The course, funded by Olympic Solidarity, is facilitated by World Athletics instructors Innocent Asiimwe and Charles Mukiibi. A total of 24 coaches are participating in the training, which aims to build capacity and elevate Uganda’s athletics standards.
Uganda Athletics Federation President Dominic Otucet praised the initiative, describing it as a vital step in developing elite athletes capable of winning medals on the international stage. “These coaches will help us nurture a strong pool of talent, increasing Uganda’s chances of success globally,” Otucet said.
He added that such training programs will be held regularly and encouraged coaches to acquire electronic devices to support their participation in future online courses.
The participating coaches include Immaculate Chemutai, Stella Akidi, Peter Chelangat, Francis Oketayot, Benon Bejnja Wafula, Pauline Nakitto, Issa Kosgei, Ziana Cheptoyek, Joshua Kibet, Francis Yiga, Justine Bayigga, Ben Siwa, James Odongkara, and Kassim Latigo.
Others are John Okiror, Innocent Munyambabazi, Washington Ebek, Lucy Aber, Benjamin Njia, Sarah Nambawa, Betty Kiirire, Jimmy Adar, Betty Aloyo, and Barnabas Mugarura.