President Yoweri Museveni has described sports as not only advantageous to the athletes in their physical fitness and health but also acts as a channel for promoting the publicity of the country.
The President was flagging off a contingent of more than 100 athletes who are heading to Glasgow-Scotland for the Commonwealth games slated to take place from the 23rd July to the 3rd August 2014. The President said the sports discipline, apart from providing entertainment to fans also promotes discipline among the athletes.
The colorful ceremony that took place at State House Entebbe was witnessed by the State Minister for Sports Charles Bakabulindi.
He urged members of the team to avoid alcohol and cigarette smoking that are detrimental to their health and assured them of his pledge to reward all the best performers in any international event by giving them a monthly package of Shs. 2 million.
He also promised to off-set the deficit faced by the team of Ug.Shsd.370 million required for their facilitation during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow-Scotland.
The Ugandan Athletes are going to participate in the games that will include Swimming, Rugby, Table Tennis, Squash, Cycling, Shooting Paralympics and Weight lifting.
The team was presented to the President by the State Minister for sports Mr. Charles Bakabulinde. The 62 member team will be led by Captain Charles Sekyaya. The first group is expected to leave today Sunday July 13, 2014 and the last group of athletes will leave on July 19, 2014. The team will be accompanied by the Minister for Education and Sports Hon. Jesca Alupo and 20 coaches from Uganda.
President Museveni said sports is important for entertainment, building public relations of the country, for instilling discipline in the players and helping to build physical fitness of the body for health living and long life.
President said he was actively participating in Sports but he stopped after he decided to seriously take part in politics and fighting for the liberation of Uganda.
The President wished the team success and pledged to continue supporting the sports fraternity
Minister Bakabulindi also presented to the President Ivan Byekwaso the silver medalist of natural body building world championship at Nitra, Slovakia Republic. Byekwaso and his manager Kamal Sabuni thanked the President for sponsoring them in Sports.
The two are at the moment seeking for $35,000 to represent Uganda at the Body Building Olympics in Santiago, USA in November 2014.