It is true the pinnacle of world sport is at the Summer Olympic Games which come every four years.
For countries which have mastered the art of medaling at the Olympics, they build talent from the greatest of youth and junior levels.
And that’s what makes the Summer Youth Olympics very relevant. On Saturday, Africa will stage the first-ever Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.
The two-week multi-sport stage for the teenagers has 25 entries from Uganda, a team which was flagged-off at Lugogo by National Council of Sports (NCS) general secretary Patrick Ogwel.
This is the fourth edition of the Youth Olympics and Uganda has appeared in all but Dakar is special. ‘We are going five-fold, more than the previous editions,’ remarked Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) general secretary Beatrice Ayikoru.
In Dakar, Uganda will compete in seven disciplines; rugby, athletics, cycling, rowing, swimming, badminton and table tennis.
The contingent led by chef de mission Lydia Dhamuzungu comprises a total 47 athletes and officials, who are travelling in different clusters depending on events’ schedule.
‘You guys are part of history. It’s the first time the Youth Olympics are being held in Africa. We thank the government of Uganda for the support, we thank the IOC (International Olympic Committee) for the support,’ said UOC president Donald Rukare.
For Dakar, Uganda’s team has 17 male athletes and eight female competitors. That is sizably bigger than the six competitors who featured across four disciplines at the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010.
At the Nanjing 2014 edition in China, six more athletes competed in athletics, badminton rowing and table tennis. For the Bueno Aires 2018 edition in Argentina, five athletes featured in athletics, rowing and weightlifting.
As a motivation, Ogwel announced that each athlete will receive an out-of-pocket allowance of $160 (Shs790,000) per day in Dakar, through their parents.
‘Uganda is potentially a nation of talents and we are very happy to have 25 distinguished athletes who are ready to represent us,’ stated Ogwel.
‘Some of the athletes who have featured before (at Youth Olympics), later became world champions,’ he added.
True, Uganda won 2000 metres steeplechase bronze through Zakaria Kiprotich in Singapore while Geofrey Balimumiti won 800 metres silver in Nanjing.
In Buenos Aires, Sarah Chelangat won 3000 metres gold while Oscar Chelimo collected a bronze medal over the same distance.
Some former competitors such as Halimah Nakaayi from Singapore, went on to win the 800 metres gold medal at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Nakaayi, Chelangat and Chelimo were all part of Team Uganda at the Paris Olympics. And the belief is there that Dakar-bound unit can rise through the ranks too.
‘It’s going to be hot. When you go there, don’t undermine yourselves. You’re the best we have,’ added Ayikoru.
Meanwhile, Nakaayi and former national team swimmer Jamillah Lunkuse, who featured in the London 2012 Olympics, are part of Dakar 2026 as the Games’ role models.
TEAM UGANDA TO DAKAR YOUTH OLYMPICS
Athletes: Michael Kibet, Timothy Cheptoyek, Baskaline Cherotwo, Rachael Chelimo, Keren Chelimo (all Athletics), Ramiah Bukenya (Badminton), Ali Ssali (Cycling), Marcel Andrew Otim (Rowing), Mark Arthur Mwase, Peter Inhensiko, Zara Marie Mbanga, Mary Peyton Suubi (Swimming), Joseph Sebatindira, Jemimah Nakawala (Table Tennis), Victor Ampiire, Bonamy Asiimwe Bwambale, Trey Gateja Rugumba, Jeremy Iragaba, Sanyu Junior Katushabe, Moses Kibet, Deogracious Muliira, Shafik Okole, Abdulrahman Ongima, Almadi Otema, James Tyron Ssebuufu (all Rugby)
Officials: Ziana Cheptoyek, William Kabindi, Isaka Bukenya, Batenga Nakisozi, Elijah Namunyu, Ezekeri Kalali, Alvin Katumba, Dorothy Nekesa, Solomon Aryampa, Peter Ochol, Jude Rwakayanga (all coaches), Miriam Nalubega (Physio), Patricia Ayebare (Safeguarding Officer), Shadir Musa Bwogi (Athlete Representative), Elijah Njawuzi and Annie Nankya (Team Administrators), Lydia Dhamuzungu (Chef de Mission)