Woodball federation promises to deliver best world event
Chen Huixin signs on the official logo of the 2019 Beach Woodball World Cup during the launching ceremony at Lugogo on April 9, 2019. PHOTO BY GEORGE KATONGOLE
What you need to know:
- Uganda's team is already in training although South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Kenya and Burundi are the only countries yet to confirm their participation with entries slated to close on April 15.
KAMPALA. History suggests there is every reason for skepticism when an international sporting event is scheduled in Kampala yet Paul Kayongo, the President of the Uganda Woodball Federation (UWbF) says they will deliver the best World Beach Woodball Championships starting May 25 until 31 in Entebbe.
Kayongo says that they are against all odds but have nods of agreement from relevant partners.
Uganda was chosen to host the second event after Indonesia (2017) where Onesmus Atamba won gold in singles.
To him, awarding the second World Beach Championships to Uganda is a well thought decision.
According to Chen Huixiu, who represented Zheng Zhuqiang, the Chinese ambassador to Uganda at Tuesday's launching ceremony in Lugogo, the growth of woodball in Uganda deserves the reward.
He said the Chinese government is willing to work with their Ugandan counterparts to deliver the best tournament stressing that sport is one of the most important areas of cooperation between the countries.
Huixiu said that all indications point to a successful tournament following a successful hosting of the University World Cup in 2010.
"Uganda has steadily improved in its status of woodball in Africa and this is an opportunity to grow the sport even bigger," Huixiu said.
Games will be hosted at Spennah Beach in Entebbe which organisers say is spacious for such a tournament that is expected to bring together more than 20 teams.
Kayongo said that by the time the tournament concludes on May 31, woodball would be carrying a larger role of importance.
Approval voices were sounded by the National Council of Sports with Patrick Ogwel, the acting General Secretary saying that woodball has only got better etching its place decisively in Uganda's sports landscape.
"The organisational levels of woodball have been charming and we anticipate an opportunity to stage a successful event," Ogwel asserted before affirming that government will ensure players allowances and administrative costs of the budgeted Shs1bn is met.
Uganda's team is already in training although South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Kenya and Burundi are the only countries yet to confirm their participation with entries slated to close on April 15.
