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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: SUNDAY, AUGUST 06, 2023
The West Nile Development Association (WENDA), an umbrella organization for the local governments in West Nile is organizing a grand reception in honour of Larry Feni, the swimming hero who won double gold at the special summer Olympics in Germany recently.
The event will begin with a procession from the Mayor’s garden in the Arua city center through the town to raise awareness on sports development.
Knight Aciro, Last Friday’s winner of silver medal in the inter University games in China will also be among the plethora of sports personalities to be honoured.
“The awards may not be financial but just an appreciation to let the athletes know that their home region minds about them. Their home region cherishes their contribution and their home region looks at them as inspirators for future talent,” Moses Akuma, Secretary of WENDA said.
The convention will also launch the West Nile sports talent identification initiative as an independent apex body to coordinate the district sports councils in the region.
To be held at Muni University on August 19, 2023 under the theme “developing the future champions now,” a sports fund is also set to be unveiled at the convention.
Organizers explained that sports activities are coordinated by district sports councils which are however not properly functioning due to lack of finances to support their activities.
Akuma said as part of preparatory activities for the convention, four separate meetings have been held this year and the officials resolved to create a sports coordination brand known as the West Nile sports talent identification Initiative.
It will be a platform to rally all the sports sector under one umbrella, provide coordination and avenue for accountability.
“Sports will not only develop talents but transform the local economy of the districts and the urban centers,” he asserted.
Mike leti, a FUFA delegate and vice chairperson for the talent identification initiative defended the convention as taking the first steps in talent identification and development.
He said it is unfortunate that the region never continued after Dorcus Inzikuru, famously known as the Arua Gazelle for conquering steeple chase at the commonwealth games in Melbourne, Australia.
FUFA president, Eng Moses Magogo is one of the notables set to speak at the convention alongside ministers from West Nile.
Let called on the people to support and embrace sports, noting that in Countries like Brazil, sports in a big industry with over 500 professional footballers playing around the world.
“The sports sector in Brazil injects USD24 billion into the national economy, something that could fund Uganda’s budget significantly,” he said.
Joel Gadafi, head of publicity for the convention and the talent initiative stressed that West Nile is blest with sports talent that need nurturing.
He said funds to be raised from the convention will to support athletes and help to transform the sports sector in the region.
