Special Olympics to test all athletes

By Norman Katende

Uganda will delay to name the final Special Olympics team that will be representing the country in the World Summer Olympics due in Atlanta, because all the players have to undergo a final medical test to confirm that they are legible to play in the games.

Special Olympics are games for the mentally disabled, and unlike in developed countries where facilities to do the medical checks can be easily found, in Uganda, there are selected  places  that this can be done, hence all the tests  could not be carried out before the event.

“We do not have  the facilities  to do the kind of medical examinations needed in most of  the upcountry  places and  at incidents when the testing  for the children was done,  we could not get the  parents which is  mandatory. That is why we have to do another check before confirming  the final team. We are working to see that at least we test them as soon as possible and then  confirm the team,” said Genevieve Bamwidhukire, the acting director of Special Olympics Uganda.

Uganda held its national games last week with Kampala taking the women 7-aside football title and Eastern dominating the volleyball event.

Uganda has been given 26 slots for athletics (2), swimming pool (3), Open water (1), Unified volleyball (1) and a 7-Aside Female soccer team.

Korea International Cooperation Agency volunteers where in the country to help screen  and treat athletes in conjunction with Kampala Lions Club.