Motivate coaches financially - Makalama

The national rugby team coach Brian Makalama has urged Uganda Rugby Union (URU) to motivate coaches if they are to get results at the international level. 

The Rugby Cranes 15s team forwards coach who is also the U20 Rugby Cranes head coach, said that whereas the union may not have the capacity to pay coaches good salaries and allowances, it should endeavor to sacrifice the little it has to these coaches. 

"Results are a combination of the players and coaches. So URU should be in a position to facilitate coaches so that we are able to make research, draw training and fitness programs for players and also be able to follow up and evaluate these players," Makalama explained. 

He added that the motivation of coaches should not stop at national teams only, but even at the club level because it is the foundation of the national team.

He cited the recent COVID-19 support that was extended to only players and coaches left out yet it is a time coaches should be facilitated much to follow-up on players who have been given training programs. 

"In Uganda, we have expensive internet and transport costs that calls for URU and club managements to forget all about voluntarism and support these coaches in areas of research and training," Makalama who is also Kisumu Rugby Club coach explained. 

The former Kenya side Western Bulls Rugby Club coach is currently coaching Kisumu Rugby Club explained that the motivation of coaches will push them to think more and be innovative. 

Makalama believes that it is time URU draws up the roadmap to semi-professional rugby as a transition to professional rugby as it is in Kenya. 

"Rugby is all about basics, strength and conditioning. So, when players are paid they will do the conditioning themselves and the coaches will be able to monitor and evaluate them regularly thus giving results," The former Stanbic Black Pirates and Rhinos tactician noted. 

The former Rugby Cranes star believes that Uganda has the best talent in region and continent, but not much has been done to nurture them into professionals.

Uganda has a 10-team elite league and eight-team championship (promotional) rugby leagues.

Efforts to get a comment from URU CEO Ramsey Olinga and secretary Peter Odongo were futile as phone calls to them ent unanswered.umbers.