Vice President urges youth to take on powerlifting

 

Ssekandi was addressing the press at his office at a function at which he received Uganda based powerlifter Roy Mubiru and his American visiting counterpart and coach Terry Harcleroad.

 

He thanked Terry for the encouragement and support he has offered to the Ugandan athletes since his arrival in the country last week.

 

"Powerlifting is increasingly becoming exciting worldwide and attracting participation by both male and female players. It is a sport we would encourage youth to participate in and build stamina," Ssekandi said.

 

"I wish to encourage Ugandans to train well and acquire the appropriate skills to compete regionally and globally in this sport. I appreciate the personal effort Roy Mubiru has put in developing powerlifting and I wish him success in Ukraine," Ssekandi stated.

 

The Vice President also asked the media to market the country's sportsmen to help them acquire support as they go out to represent the country so that they act as goodwill ambassadors whenever they go for competitions abroad.

 

He argued that sport was a good avenue for creating mutual understanding and unity before he encouraged Terry to visit and enjoy great scenery in the countryside.

 Powerlifter Roy Mubiru and American Powerlifting coach Terry Harcleroad poses with the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi (center) at the Vice President's office in Kampala

Former bodybuilder Robert Ssebugwawo thanked the Vice President for always welcoming sportsmen and appreciated Mubiru for the personal sacrifice he has made for the sport and also pledged more support.

 

Mubiru also thanked the vice president for receiving him and thanked his family and the media for the support. "I'm greatly honoured to be here and I can only promise that I will a gold medal at the world cup because I will not only be representing Uganda but the whole continent," Mubiru remarked before he presented the medals he has won over the years to Ssekandi, who received them with two cheers of; ‘Mubiru Oyee'.

 

Robert Kasibante the head of skills in the vice president's office said his office is keen on supporting skilled youth and asked Terry to be the link between Uganda and American powerlifters.

 

Terry was grateful for the warm reception he has received and praised the friendly and accommodating people he had met thus far.

 

"It has been a tremendous opportunity and I can't thank everybody enough. It has been an unbelievable experience meeting the friendly people who are open and genuine; and passing on powerlifting tips during the championship, the talent that was on the show was inspiring," Terry noted.

 

Mubiru will represent the country in the 2019 World Powerlifting Association (WPA) Championships in Ukraine, in May and recently organized the RM Beast Mode powerlifting championship from which other athletes were selected to represent the country in other international competitions.