Namilyango sports tutor woos gov't for health insurance

MUKONO - The sports tutor of Namilyango College, John Bosco Okwaja has asked the government to introduce a health insurance scheme for sporting students. He said the school's efforts to promote sports were sometimes frustrated by associated challenges, such as the high medical costs for the injured students.

 "When our students get injured on the pitch, we part with lots of money. Just last year, we spent sh15m on two students, who got injured during a rugby match.  This is why we request the government to consider the introduction of a health insurance policy that will cater for the treatment of injured students."

Namilyango College students in a bottle-racing competition during the school's sports gala

 
Okwaja made the appeal during the sports gala of Namilyango College, which took place at the school last Saturday.

The event, which was graced by hundreds of parents and friends of the school, was presided over by the minister of state for sports, Charles Bakkabulindi, who thanked Namilyango College for its commitment to the promotion of sports.

"Games are no longer a leisure activity but a lucrative business. Involvement in sports does not affect academics. So, you don't go wrong when you promote sports," said Bakkabulindi.

Bakkabulindi later promised to convince cabinet to consider the introduction of the proposed health insurance policy for sporting students.

Namilyango College students in a sack-racing competition

 
The headteacher of the school, Constantine Mppuga, said the school had a holistic policy of producing "an all-round student," which was why it emphasized co-curricular activities such as sports.

Mpuuga paid tribute to the school's partners, such as Centenary Bank, Century Bottling Company, AAR, Fresh Dairy, Statewide Insurance Company, Kwera Industries and Uganda Police for sponsoring the event.

During the function, the students, under the umbrella of their respective 12 houses of residence,  competed in games such as football, rugby, basketball, tied-leg racing, bottle-racing, sack racing, basketball, badminton, hockey, etc.

The state minister for sports, Charles Bakkabulindi (left) receiving souvenirs from the head teacher of Namilyango College, Constantine Mpuuga

 
Doyle House won the competition with 925 points, followed by Mackee House with 732 points, Hanlon House (558 points) Campling House (557 points) and Reensick House (552 points).

Others were Mukasa House (475 points), Billington House (415 points), Heweston House (410 points), Kiwanuka  House (383 points), Biermans  House (378 points), Charles Lwanga House (299 points) and Kuipers House (228 points).