State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi has advised sportsmen and women, federations and associations not to relax after the just concluded 21st Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast 2018 in Australia.

He has advised the country to shift attention to the 2019 All Africa Games in Lusaka, Zambia, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and other world championships.
The minister was addressing a press conference about Ugandan’s performance at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games where the country has won a total of six medals.
The minister reiterated that following the total stability Ugandans enjoy today, the government under H.E the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has increased financial support to sports.

Hon. Bakkabulindi has encouraged all sports disciplines that will take part in future sports championships to always strive for a visible success at such events.
He encouraged wrangling federations to desist from fights and instead seek peaceful management of their respective sports discipline if they should be successful at international competitions.

“I would encourage all sports federations and associations in the country to emulate their counterparts that are doing well to widen our scope in winning medals. I also encourage those federations and associations already winning medals for the country, not to relax,” Hon. Bakkabulindi said.

He told sportsmen and women in Uganda to uphold our country’s reputation as a good sporting nation. The minister advised that although success in sports depends on physical stamina it also depends on obedience, discipline, determination to win as well as will power of the athletes.

He noted that Uganda is indeed proud of the exceptional performance of Team Uganda at the just concluded 21st Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast Australia.

Gallant athletes showcased Uganda’s potential and abundant talent in Sports by winning 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Australia.

The performance had Uganda finish in 15th place out of 71 Commonwealth Countries that competed, but 4th overall in Africa.

Uganda competed in 11 sports disciplines, namely; Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Netball, Badminton, Rugby, Squash, Swimming, Weightlifting, Table Tennis and Shooting.
Compared to Uganda’s Commonwealth Games medal tally in the 2014 edition in Glasgow 1 Gold, 4 Bronze where we got 5 medals and we were 18 overall the country has performed better in term of quality and number of medals.

The minister of Sports expressed appreciation to H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and; the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni for visionary leadership of the Ministry and Special love for Sports in particular.

The minister officially commended the entire Team Uganda for having competed successfully and particularly medalists Joshua Cheptegei, Stella Chesang, Solomon Mutai, Mercyline Chelangat and Juma Miiro for having enabled the Ugandan Flag to fly high. Special recognition to our National Netball Team-the She Cranes for making a debut at Games and finishing in a respectable 6th position.

Team Uganda returns from Australia today, Thursday 19th April 2018 and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni will receive them at Entebbe International Airport and address a press conference there before NCS hosts the team for a dinner at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni shall also host the team to a luncheon on Sunday at State House Entebbe.