*TERYET* - Appropriately described by the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports as a delegation of duty and responsibility from father to son, the official handover of the National High Altitude Training Centre in Teryet, Kapchorwa, to the National Council of Sports took place this morning. As directed by the First Lady and Minister of Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, and in accordance with the provisions in the new National Sports Act of 2023, the facility shifts into the hands of NCS who are now mandated with taking charge of all sports infrastructure in the country.

Attended by several members from the Ministry, NCS, as well as the Kapchorwa District local leadership and a technical team of engineers and architects of the Project, the historic ceremony took place at the facility which is a whopping 2,555 metres above sea level. Commissioner Mugumya, representing State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang and Permanent Secretary Dr. Kedrace Turyagenda, was joined by Special Presidential Assistant on Education and Sports Gunter Lange, who is the Technical Advisor on the Project, Assistant Commissioner Sammy Odongo who is the Project Coordinator, as well as Eng. Raymond Opio from the Ministry's Construction Management Unit, among others.

On the receiving end were NCS Board Chairperson Ambrose Tashobya and Members Moses Anyii Omara, Piloya Evelyn Gloria and the legendary Stephen Kiprotich, whose monumental marathon gold medal run at the 2012 London Olympics was the inspiration behind President Yoweri Museveni's sanctioning of the training facility. NCS General Secretary, Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel, led a big technical team from the NCS Secretariat. Baring witness were the district leadership led by the Deputy Chief Admistrative Officer (CAO) Stephen Lokope.

Chairman Tashobya reiterated the words of Commissioner Mugumya in emphasising the fact the Ministry and NCS were one and the same, with the one ultimate goal of ensuring that the facility serves the purpose of churning out champion runners for the nation. He paid glowing tribute to Kiprotich, and strongly allayed any fears the Sebei Community might harbour about losing a facility they hold dear, underlining the fact that even if it was for whole country they would remain primary beneficiaries because of proximity.

Projected to help with talent identification, nurturing and preparation of Ugandan athletes for elite competition, as well as attracting international runners, boosting sports tourism and the country's economy, the training centre's *first phase* has since been completed and commissioned by the President. It includes a specially designed 3km jogging track, an artificial turf field for football and rugby certified by both FIFA and the IRU, floodlights, a 6-lane running track, a hostel block, kitchen and dining hall, site roads and parking, among several other things.

The *second phase* , for which construction will commence in due course, will further boost the facility with a physiotherapy and strength training centre, a pavilion with storage and sanitary facilities, a service block with restaurants and meeting rooms, two more hostel blocks, staff housing, sports hall, swimming pool, throwing events, natural grass field, soccer practice field, golf skilling area and golf hotel, among others.