UK Sport receives recognition for opening up community sport in Uganda
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UK Sport International 25 September 2012
UK Sport has received recognition from key government and administrative officials in Uganda for the “incredible work” that has gone into supporting the development of grassroots sport in the country.
The acknowledgment comes just weeks after the recruitment of Ugandan Olympic gold medalist, Stephen Kiprotich, as an in-country ambassador for International Inspiration, the international sports legacy programme of the London 2012 Games. The interest in developing community sport in Uganda was sparked by International Inspiration, which has been designed and implemented by UK Sport in partnership with UNICEF and the British Council.
UK Sport is now supporting the first steps to developing community sport, through expert advice and guidance to improve the quality training of community coaches. This expertise has been provided through UK Sport’s International community Coach Education Systems (ICES) to Kyambogo University, the chosen lead national convening body for community coach development in Uganda.
The ICES initiative allows organisations to primarily assess existing sports education structures, curriculum and training programmes, and advise how to further develop skills and capacities of the workforce in a systematic way.
UK Sport is currently supporting Kyambogo University to develop a national framework, which will harmonize and raise the quality of grassroots coaches’ education and development in Uganda.
The timing of Stephen Kiprotich’s partnership with International Inspiration perfectly coincides with the structural development of grassroots sport in Uganda, which is set to revolutionise the countries sporting landscape. It is through the improvement of grassroots sport that more international athletes, such as Kiprotich, can be discovered.
Commenting on the impact of London 2012, Mr W Blick, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, said UK Sport’s contribution to an Olympic legacy is unrivaled; “When we visited London, it was clear that their legacy was not only based on the sporting infrastructure, but on national spirit. Now UK Sport is helping Uganda capitalise on our own national spirit with Stephen Kiprotich as an ambassador for International Inspiration and also in supporting the interest in sport through a quality system that will ensure children are inspired and continue in the path of sport.”
Maxwell Chrysolite Kamanyire from the Office of the Prime Minister believes Kiprotich has become a catalyst for sport participation. He said: “After Stephen won the gold [medal] in London, children around the country found a role model they could identify with, someone who has worked hard, been disciplined and dedicated to reach his goals. We can use sport to help children follow this example in any field they want. It is through UK Sport’s incredible work that this is now possible.”
Akankwasa Justus, the Acting Commissioner for Physical Education and Sport in the Ministry of Education and Sport in Uganda, believes this is a key opportunity for Uganda to deliver key messaging. “Stephen is inspiring a generation. Now that generation needs to be nurtured through sport that will keep them in school and off the streets,” he said.
Harriet Akello of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in Uganda, said; “International Inspiration and community coach development will help raise the profile of sport at the most crucial time. Stephen has become a national icon and his influence will last generations. UK Sport has brought great profile to the International Inspiration programme.”
Find out more about International Inspiration
