Ssekitoleko’s story is just a perfect example of what is on the ground for the young promising athletes in Uganda. Just 21 years of age, most probably facing a youthful crisis coupled with the frustration of an economy that barely supports the professional field he is building a career in. Having borrowed money to purchase food supplements as he prepared for the Olympics and leaving his pregnant wife with UGX 150,000 (USD 42), the least he needed to hear was his disqualification to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. I don’t want to imagine the sweet promises he made to his wife as he proudly clad in the truck suit embroidered with the Uganda flag and hopped on a “bodaboda” en route to the meeting point for the journey to the airport.
Team Uganda on arrival at the residential hotel in Osaka, Japan. Image source: STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP
Let’s come back home. Daphine (not real names) is a promising young basketball player. I met her during the 1st lockdown in 2020. Throughout her education system, she has leaped from school to school, willing to cater to her financial-academic needs. She completed high school in 2018, but her luck fell short. She had a wagon of friends who were also riding on sports scholarships from school to school. Out of the wagon, they all opted for marriage and abandoned the sport. A couple of teams have called her out to play, but her only term is to be given education in exchange. None seemed to be heeding to her term. Luck knocked at her door in 2020, with Uganda Christian University opening its doors to her for the September intake. She last held a smartphone in January 2020 and currently carries a sim card which she inserts in any phone that allows her to make a few calls. Online learning is the option the school offered her, and if this lockdown pushes to September this year, she will have to wait till 2022. She has dreams of playing in Kenya. During practice days, she uses a transport fare of UGX 15,000 – 20,000 (USD 4 – 5) to and fro Mukono. Young promising athlete indeed!
I imagine the day Daphine will have an opportunity to represent the country at an international event. I am not sure if her return is guaranteed.
We can keep pretending that all is fine, but deep down, we all know that it is not right to award someone a crate of beer after a game. It’s painful to see a player investing in the gym work, personal workouts, feeding and transport expenses, sports gear all year round, and when the tournament or league comes around, an adjustable chair is offered in recognition of their outstanding performance. If all is fine as the picture is painted, why are there stories of sports officials confiscating athletes’ documents as soon as they set foot in another nation? Ssekitoleko’s story came just weeks after a National Rugby 7’s player had disappeared while in Monaco. Begging for USD 5 a day while chasing a dream sounds sweeter than having a pipe dream with a USD 280 paycheck! It’s very unfortunate that we have ambitious athletes that are met with a failed system.
What enabling factors do our sports governing bodies have? A daily allowance of UGX 10,000 (USD 2.5) is worth a day’s transport fare, of which approximately 1 out of 10 athletes receive that allowance. After a heated training and workout, one is expected to feed well, but I will leave this issue at the nearest “Rolex” stands to the sports grounds. Have you ever wondered why a young athlete of 19 years of age in a developed country will have a performance way better than a 25-year-old in our country? Their worries are less about how he will secure his next meal, or another pair of shoes, or get medical attention. In contrast, Ssekitoleko’s worries stretch from what he will eat right after practice, or reach home, or get back to practice the next day, to if he will be able to get medical treatment for an Achilles rupture. With all that pending, Ssekitoleko and the likes of Daphine have to keep working hard. Most athletes dream of leaving the country and play in another country. Athletes who manage to make their way out, even if they play in the lowest Division in their newfound homes, are as comfortable as a parliamentarian in Uganda. I defer to talk about the infiltration of our national teams by mainly athletes who are building their careers away from the country—just wondering why our local bred athletes can’t be trusted enough (scoffs a bit).
Ssekitoleko (Blue Cap) Upon his arrival at the Uganda International Airport. Image source: Chimp Reports
Why can’t Uganda be the green pasture? The brain drain of athletes is costing the nation a significant loss. Sports is estimated to have a global economic worth of USD 300 billion and is projected to hit USD 600 billion by the end of 2021. Uganda is blessed to have the most youthful population, but it’s sitting on a time bomb if these youth are not engaged to benefit the country, and sports would be the best avenue to tap into. Let’s face the fact; athletes seeking for green pastures is not about to end for as long as their value remains as low as (or even lower) UGX 1,000,000 a month (USD 290). We shall continue to send officials each year to help in the search for the runaway young promising athletes.
“Ebyemizannyo,” so they call sports in most local languages! You should all stop thinking that dressing one in a new track suit and having them taking pictures while screaming “ffene” in front of a plane is enough to keep them around or enhance their sports performance.
Article by Elizabeth Kisolo | kisolo@basketball256.com | Twitter: Big_Foot115
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