Ugandans reward Byekwaso

By Michael Nsubuga                 

When Ivan Byekwaso won a silver medal at the World Natural Body Building and Fitness Championships in Nitra, Slovakia Republic in June last year, he was presented to the President, with the hope that he would be added to the beneficiaries of the Presidential Sports Award.

The award was started to reward and motivate outstanding sportsmen, who after winning medals at the world stage, in turn get a monthly stipend from government. The reward ranges from sh1m-5m depending on the medal won.

But to-date, the now Mr. Universe and AM World Cup holder has never been a beneficiary. However that could change after his recent two wins from the US that came with two gold medals.

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Pemba Sports Africa chairman Jackson Pemba and Ivan Byekwaso dance to band music during the cocktail party

But before all this happens, Byekwaso has been recognized by the Uganda Tourism Board and is now UTB's ambassador.

UTB has also pledged to take him around the country and especially to Bwindi to see the Mountain Gorillas.

This is on top of a one week (sh10m) 5 star holiday with his two children at the Serena Hotel Dar-es-salam, a sh20m car and sh42m land courtesy of Pemba Sports Africa.

For the award, commissioner of sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Omara Apita has asked the Uganda Bodybuilding and Fitness Association to present the athlete to National Council of Sports who in turn will present him again to the President.

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Pemba Sports Africa chairman Jackson Pemba (left) shares a light moment with Ivan Byekwaso's mother Florence Nabukalu

Apita was addressing guests that included NCS officials at a cocktail organised by Pemba Sports Africa, the sponsors of Byekwaso, to officially welcome him from the US at the Imperial Royale Hotel on Wednesday.

"We are so proud of you just like government; I encourage other athletes to emulate Byekwaso by being humble, disciplined and God fearing because it is these attributes that have helped him win all these medals," Apita said.

"After his recent achievements I know the President will be glad to receive him again, so I would like to thank Pemba for enabling him to prepare and travel for these competitions," Apita remarked before he presented Byekwaso a sh1m reward from state sports Minister Charles Bakkabulindi.

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Bodybuilder Ivan Byekwaso (right) receive sh1m reward from sports commissioner Omara Apita on behalf of minister Charles Bakkabulindi

NCS' Nicholas Muramagi had some parental advice for Byekwaso urging him not to let complacency take over but instead remain focused on building the image of Uganda, because he is now a role model.
UBBFA president Twaha Ddungu asked the ministry, to ask government to think about building a house for the body builder as a token for him for flying the national flag at the international stage.

"Let me first thank God for helping me to achieve this, I have come a long way from staying hungry, moving on foot and family stress but along the way came Pemba who has ensured I'm focused on the job," Byekwaso said.

"This year has been very successful for me as I have become the first African to win the Mr. Universe and this is just the beginning," Byekwaso stated.

"When I met him I knew he was the best. What I did was to ensure he was stress free that why I took over solving some of his domestic problems and we are committed to helping Ugandan athletes to compete 'stress free'," Pemba stated.