Uganda Rowing Federation acquires equipment

The International Rowing Federation has donated equipment to the Uganda Rowing Federation as one of the ways to promote the sport in the country.

The local federation displayed 30 pairs of oars and six ergometers at the Uganda Olympic Committee offices at Lugogo on Thursday.

Uganda Rowing Federation president Hamza Kahwa hailed the international body for their gesture.

"We have had a successful year that's why the International body decided to give us equipment. I believe they are doing it to promote the sport and improve on the skills among our athletes," stated Hamza Kahwa.

Uganda this year won the East and Central Africa rowing championship in Khartoum, Sudan before Grace Noble Kathleen, a Uganda female rower qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The clubs to benefit from the equipment include; UPDF, Green belt, Defenders, Express, Wellness, Lakeshore, Maroons, Cranes, and Nalubaale.

Uganda Olympic Committee president, William Brick praised the International body for the offer.

"We worked with URA, NCS and Olympic Committee to make sure this equipment is brought and tax-free so as to develop the sport. They are more equipment coming in a couple of months. I hope the clubs can use this to grow the sport. We thank the international body for responding to our respect to have the equipment, "Brick noted.

Solomon Muwonge, Chairman Nalubaale waters Sports club was grateful to the local body for the initiative they took.

"We are very grateful to the federation since they have been able to acquire this equipment to grow the sport," he said.

 Rowing is a sport whose origins can be traced back to ancient Egyptian times. It involves propelling a boat (racing shell) on water using oars. By pushing against the water with an oar, a force is generated to move the boat. There are a number of different boat classes in which athletes compete, ranging from an individual shell (called a single scull) to an eight-person shell with a coxswain (called a coxed eight).