We of course succeeded where we could. We failed when we were supposed to, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan.
Failing of any Ugandan at such huge global events is always expected.
There are several reasons why we never win the medals we would, obviously, win in Olympics. Listen. The next tournament is very years from now.
Participants should believe in themselves
It is to, a large extent, not true that people who are sent to Olympic Games to represent their motherland are not given all the resources they wish they would have to prepare and focus more on winning medals then.
I do a lot of follow up especially in the football sector. I don’t know what athletes eat when they the time for real action comes. They rarely remember the talents they have, the time and money put in and do mind-boggling mistakes. They let other people who came believing take what they truly deserved.
A very good example is during the 10,000m final in athletics, where Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Chelimo settled for silver and bronze respectively.
Selemon Barega from Ethiopia came to Tokyo Olympics knowing that Uganda had the most capable runners to win that race. He believed during the remaining few laps that a gold for his country was possible. He got it.
We deserved a goal medal bagged by Cheptegei or Jacob Kiplimo. Lack of Self-Confidence was the only cause of our failure on that day.
Athletes from Uganda should be given lectures on how to behave when money and fame arrive
In Uganda it is almost only musicians, politicians and writers like me who can manage to soldier on for more miles ahead, walking down the paths to more things, when the paths they are using are lined by crowds chanting their names.
On returning home with a Gold or Silver, a Ugandan athlete falls from up the ladder of greatness to nothingness there and then. Why? These young boys and girls are not told by their managers that it was their talents that attracted the enormous money they got and the fame.
Dorcus Inzikuru is today where she is supposed not to be. Money and fame, poorly managed.
Kiprotich is lucky to today be recognized when walking through the now almost quite quiet streets of Kampala.
Our able sportsmen and women should be thoroughly guided and informed that what they are is, more than ninety percent, made by their ability to perform. Money is nothing. Recognizable ability makes money.
We should see when it is necessary to give money to our athletes heading for Olympics
Give young man or woman money and other things he craves without directing him or her on what to do is extremely dangerous. The result will be wasting your money and totally destroying the young man or woman to whom you delivered that money.
Our athletes should be told to differentiate between fighting on behalf of Uganda and seeking for fame and money that often never endure. They win sometimes and are given money sometimes. They are poor again today. Why? Early richest are more dangerous than poverty.
A very hardworking man born in Kampala works hard for years, he seeks and finds money eventually. He squanders it all on liquor and luxuries. He dies poor.
Very many of these medalists are from the remotest areas in our country. Definitely, money held in large qualities buries them and their talents. They are trained to win. They should be given lectures on money handling too.
Enough support from authorities is needed
All medalists from Olympics receive the real reception they crave while training for years, sometimes on empty stomachs.
Over training (and aimless) training is bad. What we call enough training in Africa is in fact over training. A funded runner, swimmer or boxer will always receive required training.
Gyms for athletes willing to represent the country should be put in place.
No individual in Uganda has money and time to construct the facilities that an ambitious runner, boxer or swimmer needs to succeed soon from now, in Olympics.
NRM government should prioritize sports. You will be remembered decades after you have left power dear authorities.
After every tournament, our athletes should be enabled to think more about the next one
Money to survive after Olympics is a must to these young boys and girls. They will get the needed guts to train knowing that food on their tables is a must. Make them ambassadors.
See to it that they have money in their purses. They will live a purpose driven life then. The purpose is winning medals for Uganda.
Federations must befriend media houses
It is not uncommon for a full president of a whole federation that sends capable athletes to Olympics games to represent Uganda to bark at reporters after they have asked him or her hard to answer questions.
Some of the participants remain unknown until they arrive at the venues in Olympics. Poor publicity! Media makes gold medalists in America, China, Canada and Europe. Sports Federations in Uganda should learn to cooperate with media houses.
Athletes whom media prepares cannot come back empty handed from Olympics.
We thank Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, Stephen Kissa, Albert Chemutai, Felix Chemongesi, Stephen Kiprotich, Ronald Musagala, Musobo, Leni Shida, Halimah Nakaayi, Winnie Nanyondo, Peruth Chemuatai, Esther Chebet, Sarah Chelangat, Prisca Chesang, Mercyline Chelangat, Juliet Chekwel and runner Immaculate Chemutai. You are all greaters runners. Uganda is proud, of you.
Boxers Shadiri Bwogi, Kavuma David Semujju and Catherine Nanziri are extremely thanked too.
We wish to also thank Rower Kathleen Grace Noble and her parents for choosing Uganda.
Swimmers Atuhaire Ambala and Kirabo Namutebi, thank you.
To qualify for Olympics is not easy. To work and advance to that stage where a medal could be bagged is supremely difficult too.
Thank you team Uganda at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We love you. The time is now.
Prepare for the next tournament. With persistence comes success. Nothing is impossible.
Talent is the only hope for Uganda.
sekkabagenda@gmail.com
