Para-athletes in Addis Ababa for coaching course
In Ethiopia: Mubajje keeping goal for Mubende Rehabilitation Centre against Kampala Amputee Stars last month. Photo by John Batanudde
What you need to know:
- Janet Rhoda Amoikori, comes from St Francis Madera School for the Blind in Soroti, the cradle of Christine Akullo, Uganda’s first para-athletics gold medallist.
The course will equip Amoikori with better skills to handle visually impaired athletes.
KAMPALA. Four Ugandan para-athletes travelled to Addis Ababa yesterday to attend a three-day coaching course in the Ethiopian capital.
Ali Mukasa, Sam Mubajje, Janet Rhoda Amoikori, and Rosbel Kikomeko, are awaiting the workshop later this week that will enhance their knowledge of the respective adaptive sports disciplines.
The clinic is organised by Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee, as part of the preparations on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
“This is a great opportunity for us,” said Mukasa, who has gone to train in powerlifting.
“I believe the knowledge and the experience and of course, the connections, we shall get from the clinic will help us a great deal in developing disability sport.”
Mukasa, who was born with a disabled leg, is the founder of sitting volleyball in Uganda, and leads the sport’s association.
He is also the captain of the Kampala Wheelchair Basketball team, besides trying several adaptive sports.
Rosbel Kikomeko will also train in powerlifting coaching.
Versatility is a necessity in disability sport: Mubajje, a lance corporal, is a fine short and middle distance runner, who just missed the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London by bad luck.
He is equally a fine goalkeeper in amputee football, and will be missed by his UPDF teammates at the Annual Sports Gala in Mbarara town this week.
By press time yesterday, Mubajje had not sorted his visa issues, but if he finally travels, he will return to Kampala not only a finer athlete but also a para-athletics coach.
Janet Rhoda Amoikori, comes from St Francis Madera School for the Blind in Soroti, the cradle of Christine Akullo, Uganda’s first para-athletics gold medallist.
The course will equip Amoikori with better skills to handle visually impaired athletes.
