Coaches hail Uganda’s wheelchair basketball stars
Abi Clark from Nottingham and Jessie Robinson from Bristol were on a fact-finding mission in Uganda, where they assessed athletes and offered technical guidance during a training session at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday, April 15.
Kizza Kabonge, one of the elite wheelchair basketball players on Team Uganda, during a training competition before the visiting coaches from the United Kingdom at Lugogo Indoor Arena. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka
Wheelchair basketball coaches from the United Kingdom have praised the standard of Ugandan athletes and urged stakeholders to secure sponsorship to further improve the sport.
Abi Clark from Nottingham and Jessie Robinson from Bristol were on a fact-finding mission in Uganda, where they assessed athletes and offered technical guidance during a training session at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday, April 15.
Both coaches have experience in African wheelchair basketball. Clark has previously worked as a physician in Ghana, while Robinson has been attached to the Ethiopian federation, both supporting wheelchair basketball development.
Elite wheelchair basketball players interact with coaches from the United Kingdom at Lugogo Indoor Arena. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka
After observing a training match, the visiting coaches expressed excitement at the level of play displayed by Uganda’s elite national players.
“The Uganda Wheelchair Basketball team is impressive, with many players showing great skill. We have advised them to continue training safely and to keep advocating for persons with disabilities, especially in para sports. They should also focus on developing structured programs to enable them to compete at the international level,” Clark said.
Uganda Wheelchair Basketball Federation (UWBF) president, Suleiman Mayanja, described the visit as a major boost, especially after Uganda failed to participate in the recent Africa Championship in Angola due to financial constraints.
“Missing out on the Angola championship, which served as a qualifier for the World Championship, was disappointing. However, we did not lose hope and have continued to seek partnerships. This visit is a step in the right direction,” Mayanja said.
He added that discussions with the visiting coaches had already opened opportunities for collaboration, particularly in sourcing specialized wheelchairs and building partnerships.
“In addition to equipment, we need support in connecting with clubs and municipal councils for long-term development. We also need technical support from coaches and other funding avenues,” he added.
Mayanja emphasized that the federation is now focusing on Uganda’s participation in the upcoming 3x3 World Championship scheduled for Egypt later this year.