Use Byekwaso to develop body building, association told
Oct 09, 2015
The commissioner for sports in the ministry of education and sports, science and technology Omara Apita has advised the Uganda Body Building and Fitness Association to use Ivan Byekwaso's current stardom to develop the sport.
By Michael Nsubuga
The commissioner for sports in the ministry of education and sports, science and technology Omara Apita has advised the Uganda Body Building and Fitness Association to use Ivan Byekwaso's current stardom to develop the sport.
Apita was speaking at the Nile Special USPA monthly awards dinner at Imperial Royale Hotel, at which he presented him with the Nile Special USPA month of September award on Thursday.
"Byekwaso is a marvelous athlete; as he left for the Mr. Universe I knew he would make it, having watched him at the natural Olympia last year. UBBFA should protect and develop the Byekwaso brand so that they can use it to get more sponsorship, but you should develop the sport to cover a wider geographical area of the country; with good performance you will able to attract sponsors; Apita advised in relation to UBBFA president Twaha Ddungu who had hinted on the lack of sponsorship as the major hindrance to the growth of the sport.
"I would also like to thank Pemba Sports Africa for coming on board and sponsoring Byekwaso and I would like to urge him to continue with his enthusiasm in developing sports," Apita added.
He applauded USPA for effectively promoting the development of sports in the country by recognizing and motivating the athletes, before asking for more advocacy on sports funding.
"We are developing a national scheme for recognizing and awarding outstanding athletes but USPA is already ahead of government so we would like to thank you," Apita said before promising that Byekwaso will soon start benefiting from the Presidential Sports Award despite the slow process it has taken, now that he is even a gold medalist.
"I would like to thank the UBBFA first for availing me the opportunity and all the sponsors and the commissioner for everything he has done for me but I can't forget the man behind me, and that is Jesus," Byekwaso said.
"I have gone through many hardships but God has been on my side. My dream is to win the Mr. Universe crown three times; and this was the beginning," Byekwaso stated.
USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga used the occasion to remind inactive associations to ensure that there are competitions for their athletes.
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