Kaburu exit message: Remember my efforts
Jul 28, 2008
IN the late 1980s, the more famous extra-curricular side of Namasagali College was dancing and chess, and though the school was quite formidable in swimming, most were unaware of this. And that is why Gilbert Kaburu - swimmer who will represent the country at the Beijing Olympic Games - stealthily c
Norman Katende
in Beijing, China
IN the late 1980s, the more famous extra-curricular side of Namasagali College was dancing and chess, and though the school was quite formidable in swimming, most were unaware of this. And that is why Gilbert Kaburu - swimmer who will represent the country at the Beijing Olympic Games - stealthily crept into the national conscious.
“I had never swam until I went to Namasagali College.
That is where I learnt most of the swimming strokes,†says the sprinter, who has been galled by the fact that he will have to compete in the freestyle –– which he distates –– since the Olympic Games do not feature the 50m butterfly, his favourite.
“But I will have a chance to train for the two weeks I will spend in Beijing before the Games. I’m sure I will get used,†says the 26-year-old.
He has been training in swimming pools half the size of the Olympic standard in Uganda.
To this end, Kaburu is under no illusions about the task at hand and has set his sights on improving his personal best.
“I’m going to swim against a number of good swimmers and I will look at this as my sole target,†he said.
During his teenage years, Kaburu represented Uganda in different events and now rightly feels that reaching the Olympic Games is the climax.
His first competition was in 1997 at the All Africa Swimming Championships in Nairobi and he went on to dominate Uganda’s swimming scene from then on.
“I was one of the younger people out there. I might have not won anything but I got the exposure needed.
“It also set up my future. I can now afford to say that after the Games I will retire.
“There is a time to let go and this is it ,†he said.
Kaburu also happens to be a swimming coach at the International School of Uganda, where he has been able to tutor another all-conquering national swimmer Rashid Karmali.
He wants to be remembered for his contribution to swimming.
“I feel I have played my bit. That is the reason that I have now decided to move away.†Perhaps to finally get married?
“Marriage, oh my God! I have never thought about it. Maybe after five years!â€
How Uganda’s swimmers performed in the past
The first time swimming represented Uganda at the Olympic Games was in 1984. Daniel Mulumba competed in the 100m freestyle and was happy not to finish last after his time of one minute 7.88seconds saw him reach home in 7th position. He was however last in the back stroke category.
The next appearance was Sydney 2000. Joe Atuhaire represented the country in the breast-stroke and failed to go past the first qualifying round while Supra Singhal, the first lady swimmer to represent the country, finished sixth in the women 100m freestyle. In 2004, Uganda was represented by Edgar Luberenga in the 50m freestyle, where finished 8th in the heats.
in Beijing, China
IN the late 1980s, the more famous extra-curricular side of Namasagali College was dancing and chess, and though the school was quite formidable in swimming, most were unaware of this. And that is why Gilbert Kaburu - swimmer who will represent the country at the Beijing Olympic Games - stealthily crept into the national conscious.
“I had never swam until I went to Namasagali College.
That is where I learnt most of the swimming strokes,†says the sprinter, who has been galled by the fact that he will have to compete in the freestyle –– which he distates –– since the Olympic Games do not feature the 50m butterfly, his favourite.
“But I will have a chance to train for the two weeks I will spend in Beijing before the Games. I’m sure I will get used,†says the 26-year-old.
He has been training in swimming pools half the size of the Olympic standard in Uganda.
To this end, Kaburu is under no illusions about the task at hand and has set his sights on improving his personal best.
“I’m going to swim against a number of good swimmers and I will look at this as my sole target,†he said.
During his teenage years, Kaburu represented Uganda in different events and now rightly feels that reaching the Olympic Games is the climax.
His first competition was in 1997 at the All Africa Swimming Championships in Nairobi and he went on to dominate Uganda’s swimming scene from then on.
“I was one of the younger people out there. I might have not won anything but I got the exposure needed.
“It also set up my future. I can now afford to say that after the Games I will retire.
“There is a time to let go and this is it ,†he said.
Kaburu also happens to be a swimming coach at the International School of Uganda, where he has been able to tutor another all-conquering national swimmer Rashid Karmali.
He wants to be remembered for his contribution to swimming.
“I feel I have played my bit. That is the reason that I have now decided to move away.†Perhaps to finally get married?
“Marriage, oh my God! I have never thought about it. Maybe after five years!â€
How Uganda’s swimmers performed in the past
The first time swimming represented Uganda at the Olympic Games was in 1984. Daniel Mulumba competed in the 100m freestyle and was happy not to finish last after his time of one minute 7.88seconds saw him reach home in 7th position. He was however last in the back stroke category.
The next appearance was Sydney 2000. Joe Atuhaire represented the country in the breast-stroke and failed to go past the first qualifying round while Supra Singhal, the first lady swimmer to represent the country, finished sixth in the women 100m freestyle. In 2004, Uganda was represented by Edgar Luberenga in the 50m freestyle, where finished 8th in the heats.