The National council of sports (NCS) chairman Ambrose Tashobya has underlined that supporting athletes is the government’s duty.
“We are not doing you a favour, it’s our job,” said Tashobya as he met Uganda’s delegation in Dakar for the 2026 youth Olympics.
Tashobya was received by Chef de Mission Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu, Team Administrators Elijah Njawuzi and James Kasumba, and Safeguarding Officer Patricia Ayebare.
“If you know you gave that race your best, that is all that we needed from you,” Tashobya said as he urged the young athletes to measure success by improvement and effort, and not just medals.
He acknowledged that while the government is investing greatly in facilities for football, rugby, indoor games, and athletics, the lack of a standard 50m swimming pool still pinches hard.
Tashobya said that new stadiums, including Hoima and Akii-Bua, and venues at universities such as Makerere, Gulu, and Lira have running tracks while the indoor arenas at Hoima and Akii-Bua will serve indoor sports.
Government is also pushing for regional sports academies with the first one set to be set up in Hoima.
Badminton coach William Kabindi urged the government to back federations and coaches in the long-term development of athletes.
“Compared to other countries, we have the shortest time of preparation. Athletes need to be trained in the knowledge that an opportunity can pop up any time,” observed Kabindi.
Tashobya also urged the athletes to stay in school and become wholesome individuals.
