Empowering the next breed of girl athletes

Girls go through sprinting basics at Sacred Heart SS on Saturday. Photo by George Katongole

What you need to know:

  • Gamba said that girls can accomplish whatever they want through perseverance and commitment because emphasising that skill only is not enough.
  • The project, funded by the US embassy, is running a one-year trial period and camps have been held in Arua, Kapchorwa, Kiryandongo, Iganga, Gulu and Arua.

The Tartan Burners Athletics Club (Tbac) empowerment camp is the best thing to happen to girl athletes with a burning desire to excel.
The two-day camp at Sacred Heart SS in Gulu was all about building self esteem among girls to avoid falling prey to sex pests who use women’s vulnerability as the soft spot.

Sergeant Moreen Awori of the Uganda Police was among the key speakers to the over 100 girls who were gathered from around Gulu town.
It was a beautiful day for most of the girls as they learnt from the best. National runner Mary Zawadi Unyuthfua and Annet Kabasindi, who had a 14-year javelin national record were among the tutors.

National sprinter Mildred Gamba, also the project coordinator, encouraged participants to “never give up in life”.
“When you are empowered, you can stay longer in school and become an independent woman. Every man desires to have such a wife and the woman will never be vulnerable because they are independent,” she said.

Gamba said that girls can accomplish whatever they want through perseverance and commitment because emphasising that skill only is not enough.
The project, funded by the US embassy, is running a one-year trial period and camps have been held in Arua, Kapchorwa, Kiryandongo, Iganga, Gulu and Arua.