76 , Monday, February 8, 2016 VISION SPORT Vision Sport OPINION BY JAMES LWANGA SENIOR SUB EDITOR Silverfin is finally off the ground owards the end of 2015 a new swim club was started. Silverfi n, who held Ttheir fi rst major Pentathlon on Saturday, broke away from the more established Seals. None of the involved offi cials has come out to tell the story behind the split but for all I know, splits normally occur after disagree- ment. Surprise package Leicester City thrashed Manchester City 3-1 at the weekend to underline their Premiership title credentials Nevertheless there are positives we can draw from the schism. Besides the presence of a new club to give opportunity to more young people taking up the sport, the na- UAF scored highly at the cross country tional swimming federation will have a wider all it a sion. What better legacy can pool of talent to draw the national teams rehearsal. we have than a well organ- James Bakama: ised event iced with a medal from. Developing talent has largely been in Athlet- haul for Team Uganda? icsC Federation was on Going by what I saw on the hands of clubs like Seals, Dolphins and schools. With more clubs springing up this Saturday tested on its I SAY SO the Jinja course, our runners readiness to host next still have a lot to do if they can only mean one thing — more swimmers year’s World Cross country Is it therefore surprising that are to match giants like Ethio- and opportunities. Championship. many athletes collapsed? The pia and . I wouldn’t like a With impressive statistics like Uganda win- This was at the National fi rst aid wing was kept busy repeat of the 2014 Cross throughout. It got to extremes ning the CANA Zone III Championship last Cross country Champion- country when Kenya swept ship at the picturesque when one runner went berserk almost all medals at Kololo. year, the formation of new clubs whether Chairman’s Gardens in Jinja. and had to be rushed to Jinja Our runners require serious resulting from confl ict or otherwise will point Going by basics like choice Referral hospital. My prayer is preparation especially in speed more people to swimming. of the course, results tallying, that UAF made a follow up on work and race tactics if they the runner. Silverfi n proved their worth and passed the timing, awards ceremonies and are to match the heavyweights. information fl ow especially Publicity is another area This calls for serious physical fi rst test by organising a large training event to the media, I must say UAF where UAF will have to put and psychological tuning. on Saturday which featured Shark Teens and scored highly. its act together. Jinja seemed UAF doesn’t have to look UAF offi cials led by Beatrice unaware that an event of such far for inspiration. Their own Sail Fish Clubs as well. a magnitude was taking place Swimmers as young as fi ve years were fea- Ayikoru and Faustino Kiwa did Kiprotich has proved that with a good job. It was clear that in its backyard. good preparation, the Ken- tured in the event which had leading swim- the federation was determined Few people turned up for yans can be beaten. Kiprotich mer Selina Katumba living up to her winning to perfect its act ahead of next what should could have easily showed exactly that by striking years event. But a closer look been packaged as an eventful gold at the London Olympics track record. weekend with other events like Katumba was a class apart in the 11-12 years at the state of affairs on the and Moscow World Champion- lakeside course also revealed a cruise on the world’s longest ships. category where she competed against Mer- that there was still a lot to do if river - the Nile. It is not too late to start cedes Mwebeiha and Catherine Bowmaker. Uganda 2017 is to be remem- If local artistes can drum plotting for another ambush. When you look at the Katumbas, you can bered for good organisation. up their events into packed What better opportunity to lift Firstly, the federation got venues, you would expect Uganda into the giants club only think of a bright future for Uganda’s it wrong when it got to time much more from a federation than a world meet in our own swimming. The game is bound to fl ourish but keeping. Going by the scorch- that boasts of world beaters like backyard? before that they may want to shed the ‘elitist ing temperatures prevailing Stephen Kiprotich and Moses It is not too late to ensure that Kipsiro. Lastly, when we host sport’ tag in order to tap into the wider base here, there was no reason why the world meet is yet another of the event started well past the world meet next year, we our success stories. for talent. 10am. should leave a lasting impres- YOUR LETTERS Send your correspondence to: The Letters Editor, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, ; or sports@ newvision.co.ug; or deliver directly to the newspaper’s headquarters on Plot 19/21 First Street, Industrial Area, Kampala Someone help us We should take pride EDITOR - On Friday this week the national women’s volleyball team is expected to take in Rwanda’s success part in the Rio Olympics qualifiers in Cameroon. But from what I have been reading EDITOR - Rwanda should be chest thumping in New Vision, Uganda Volleyball Federation after successfully hosting the CHAN champi- has not yet secured the required funds to onship. Reports from Kigali indicate that all transport and accommodate the team. At the that was needed for the event was in place moment they are not sure if they will travel. and that Rwanda is now being touted as a The year was 2003....Athletes compete at Namboole Uganda requires $20,000(sh68m) for the team potential candidate to stage the African Cup to compete in the qualifiers but UVF is still of Nations! As a member of CECAFA to depending on the promises of National which Uganda belongs too, we should be From the Past Council of Sports, Uganda Olympic Committee proud that one of our own is making great and well-wishers. I feel sorry for this group of strides in organisational capability. Well done Athletes take part in the 5000 m race during Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on women who have been training hard. Rwanda. Michael Ezra National track and field meet at Friday, June 27, 2003 Martin Opio Nalubega Margaret JINJA WAKISO