Sports officers in Western region are demanding for an increase in the funding allocated to sports activities.
According to the sports officers from Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge and Bundibugyo districts, the poor funding for sports is hindering the development of sports in the region.
The officers who met in Fort Portal on Monday to work out a plan to improve sports in the region, unanimously agreed to petition the respective district councils to increase the funding for sports activities in the next financial year.
Geoffrey Baluku, the sports officer for Bundibugyo district, says that the department is allocated 30 million shillings every financial year, which is not enough. Baluku says that the inadequate funds hinder schools and district teams from taking part in sports tournaments in the district and in other parts of the country.
He says that schools are forced to seek assistance from the parents, who may not even have the resources.
David Musinguzi, the Sports Officer Kyenjojo district, says that the department is allocated 50 million shillings every financial year. He says that with such meager funds, they can’t promote sports disciplines such as football and netball in the villages and in schools.
Musinguzi also says that the district can’t even purchase balls, sports jerseys and upgrade sports pitches.
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Teopista Tumuhairwe, the Kabarole sports officer, says that besides the low funding, the money is released late, which affects planning.
During the meeting, the sports officers also called for the districts in the region to contribute towards the construction of Buhinga stadium in Fort Portal.
The stadium hosts several regional and national sports competitions, despite the condition it is currently in. There is no perimeter fence, and when it rains, the pitch gets flooded forcing games to be abandoned.
Michael Wandera, the Kabarole district Football chairperson, says that if the ground is renovated, it could generate revenue for the district to facilitate other sports disciplines.
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Francis Bagonza, a resident of Fort Portal agrees with the sports officers. Bagonza says that people have talent in various sports disciplines, but they lack motivation from the district authorities.
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