Veep Bukenya launches academy

Nov 27, 2006

PROF. Gilbert Bukenya has opened a sports academy at his Nagulu home in order to turn Busiro North into a sports powerhouse.

By Swalley Kenyi

PROF. Gilbert Bukenya has opened a sports academy at his Nagulu home in order to turn Busiro North into a sports powerhouse.

The vice president, who is also the area legislator, believes the Balibaseka academy which he prefers calling Sports Academy Without Walls, will regulate child related diseases as well as churn out sportsmen at minimal cost.

Balibaseka Sports Academy headed by SC Villa assistant secretary Topher Musoke has started with soccer, netball and athletics activities. Plans are underway to include hockey, volleyball and American football.

“This is the idea I got on a visit to England. I know many people will resist this idea thinking that it is politics. I had to start with my own people before I can sell the idea to others. I will also sell it to the cabinet and Parliament to make it national,” Bukenya said at the launch, Sunday.

Bukenya, who unexpectedly emerged unescorted from a narrow path behind Nagulu football pitch to take the 1500 registered boys and girls through various drills before addressing the locals, said that if Uganda started with sports Academies Without Walls it would have been a powerhouse.

Dressed in grey pair of shorts, white T-shirt, baseball cap and adidas stockings and boots, the professor, who last played football at the same pitch in 1972, said he was going to sell the idea of Sports Academy Without Walls countrywide.

“This is the cheapest way to promote sports and eradicate child related diseases through medical checkups and immunisation. If we started this academy earlier, we would have been a big sports country,” Bukenya said.

He said that 400 balls and volleyball nets were available kick-start the academy before it is extended to other sub counties of the Busiro North constituency in Mpigi District.

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