By Stephen Ouma Bwire.
Former Sports State Minister and Workers Member of Parliament Hon Charles Bakkabulindi has said Uganda’s achievements at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games is a result of his long term sports development programs .
He said when he was Sports Minister he worked with the National Council of Sports (NCS) and National Athletics federation for a long term youth sports development programs.
Hon Bakkabulindi said they organised national athletics championships and trials where talented youth would be identified and groomed into stars.
He said: ” The Tokyo success is as a result of creativity, good planning, long term youth talent identification and grooming”.
The trade unionist said he convinced government to increase sports funding , adding that he was instrumental in introducing the Presidential cash rewards for athletes that win medals at international championships Hon Bakkabulindi was speaking to the Workers Eye in an exclusive interview after Ugandans performed well at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
He said once medal prospects were organised to win accholades he convinced government to reward and motivate winners of medals at prestigious world events.
” Currently government rewards a gold medal winner with Ushs 5 million, silver medallist Ushs 3 million and Ushs 1million for a bronze winner per athlete per month,” he said.
The Workers MP said even after he left the Sports Ministry there is steady and continous sports funding by government for development and representation in international competitions.
He said:” Reliable sports funding has inspired national sports administrators to plan their programs effectively from grassroots to the national leavel as they prepare teams for international competitions.
When Hon Charles Bakkabulindi took over as Sports State Minister in 2005 the whole Ministry had a budget of Ushs 400 million annually for sports which was increased to over Ushs 26b by the time he left in 2019, due to his efforts.
The politician popularly known as the “Bridge” within trade union fraternity, who served as Minister for 15 years, recognises various stakeholders for their positive roles and contribution to the development of sports in the country.
“I thank all stakeholders who worked tirelessly in helping develop and inspire talents that have reaped medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” he said.
Hon Bakkabulindi attributes the success of his tenure of office to the visionary leadership of the sports sector, Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), National Council of Sports (NCS) and national sports associations.
The former Sports Minister also noted positive partnership and generous contribution from the corporates and the business community towards sports development.
Among the big achievements athlete Stephen Kiprotich won men’s marathon gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, aUganda qualified for the African Cup of Nations finals for the first time in 39 years in 2017 and returned there in 2019.
Athlete Joshua Cheptegei won silver at 2017 London World Championship, won gold at 2018 Commonwealth Games 10,000 and 5,000 metres in Australia and won World Cross Country. He also scooped gold at the 2019 International Amateur Athletics (IAAF) World champiosnhip. He said:” The medals athletes are winning at Tokyo 2020 Olympics is a result of the long term development programs under my leadership as Sports Minster”■
