By John Barnes Ssentamu
Uganda Fencing association has flagged off Melissa Achieng to South Africa for a year-long Master’s coaching course in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The occasion at the Copper Chimney in Lugogo was graced by national council of sports assistant General Secretary Milton Chebet.
“Number one, promote the sport in order for people to get to learn about it. Then the values which are in this sport. But also, to get some athletes who can represent this country. This is an Olympic sport that shouldn’t be left to other countries to be the best” said Chebet
“Let’s strengthen capacity building because there is no way you are going to promote the game if you don’t. Train the coaches and sports teachers and take advantage of activities going on in the country. We have Uganda secondary school sports association competitions which happen every year where you can go and demonstrate and you will eventually be enrolled” he added.
Uganda Fencing Association President Kenneth Oringo applauded government for its commitment towards sports development and believes such strides taken can only be complemented by strategic actions like the association has taken of “choosing Melissa (who bettered four others in the selection exercise) who has shown prowess as an athlete with potential to become coach”.
But as Melissa departs for this mission where she is the third Ugandan ever, the association has highlighted expectations.
“Experience from the past taught us that we need a better plan to benefit from such training opportunities. So, we have a memorandum of agreement with Melissa that on her return, she must train at least 50 coaches” Oringo stressed.
This national council of sports senior sports officer Annet Nankya says “this will help the association in its pursuit for a wider spread to meet requirements of the new sports act especially if the coaches she will train are chosen nationwide”
During her time in South Africa, the Master’s Coaching course that Melissa undertakes will be three-way pronged. It will have a component of Coaching, refereeing and also provide competition that she will engage in.
“I will start with my Club (Lumino) to make sure i train others to train others and will remain loyal to the association’s request and i am ready to go over and above what the agreement entails” was all the soft-spoken athlete said.
