UOC receives diagnostic equipment

By James Bakama

IT is common for Uganda to field injured sportsmen at major competitions.

Sportsmen usually hide injuries to make that extra buck that comes with featuring on the big stage. 

Those times could however be over following a donation by the German government and a partnership between Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and the Aga Khan hospital.

Deputy German ambassador Joachim Duster on Friday handed over diagnostic equipment to Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF). This came together with donation of an underwater massage unit to UOC.

Duster promised more sports support. Germany has over the past 50 years supported 1400 sports projects in over 100 countries.

UOC had earlier started off the day by going into a partnership with Aga Khan Medical Center. The hospital’s branch at Metroplex ,Naalya will starting next year have a fully-fledged diagnostic and recovery center for sportsmen.

The massage unit, which cost sh80m including transportation and taxes, will be based in Naalya. More 800 kilograms of equipment will also soon be dispatched from Germany.

Aga Khan Health Services Chairperson Dr. Rosalind Parkes explained that the sports treatment that will later spread out to all their facilities will be open to disciplines.

The diagnostic equipment includes a segmental body composition monitor that can amongst other things, measure body weight, body mass index, fat, water, muscle mass, physique ratio, bone mass and a person’s metabolic rate.

“The equipment will be put to proper use. I promise you more gold medals,” said UAF president Domenick Otuchet before handing over the equipment to the federation’s medical wing.

The hand-over coincided with closure of  a four-day sports medicine course at UOC’s Lugogo offices. It was conducted by German Professor Klaus Braumann.

“It has been a great course. I must say I am a much better sports official now,” said Ismael Iga, who represented Uganda Gymnastic Association.

Sports Commissioner Omara Apita and UOC president William Blick commended the German government and Aga Khan hospital for their support.

Apita, flanked by National Council of Sports chairman Bosco Onyik, listed several German funded projects in Uganda. Previous  German donations include and electronic timer for UAF.