Team Uganda leaves for Youth Olympics in Argentina

Oct 04, 2018

The 32 sport games featuring 206 countries will run from October 6 to 18 in Argentina capital Rio de Janeiro.

Uganda's team to the Youth Olympics was flagged off Wednesday full of promise of reaping medals.

"I have trained well and will be looking forward to a medal in Argentina," said 62 kilogram category weightlifter Hamdan Lutaaya.

The 32 sport games featuring 206 countries will run from October 6 to 18 in Argentina capital Rio de Janeiro.

Lutaaya, 16, like his four team-mates, qualified for the quadrennial event at the Africa Youth Championships in Algeria in July.

Acting National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr. Bernard Ogwel called for discipline.

"Every success starts with discipline. Do well in Argentina and your lives will never be the same again. You will be hugely rewarded," stated Ogwel.

Citing Uganda's big success at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Ogwel said success will be the joy of the entire nation.

Led by Chef de Mission Sheila Agonzibwa Richardson, the team also has athletes Oscar Chelimo (3000m), Esther Yego Chekwemoi (2000 steeplechase), Sarah Chelangat (3000m).

Hamdan Lutaaya (weightlifting), Grace Ndagire (single skull Rowing), Ganzi Mugula (team manager), Rodrick Muhumuza (official), Nana Nakiddu (doctor) and William Blick (UOC president) and Donald Rukare (UOC secretary).

Besides being a sport event, the games also have a cultural and educational dimension.

It will be the first Summer Youth Olympic Games to be held outside Asia.

They are also first in the southern and western hemispheres and the first youth games for either summer or winter to be held outside Eurasia.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});