Butaleja Parents Urged to Rally Behind Young Athletes Ahead of National Meet
By Ambrose Wanagoli.
Parents in Butaleja District have been encouraged to actively support their children as they prepare for the upcoming National Athletics Competition scheduled for May in Tororo Town.
The call was made on Friday by Mr. Charles Nyumba, Chairperson of the Butaleja District Primary Headteachers’ Association, during zonal trials held at Mugulu Integrated Primary School. The trials come ahead of the district-level competitions set for April 17.
Nyumba emphasized the importance of parental presence in boosting athletes’ morale, noting that encouragement from families can significantly impact performance.
He pointed to last year’s National Athletics Competition in Yumbe District, where host-region participants dominated, attributing their success largely to strong home support.
“Morale is key in sports,” Nyumba said, adding that cheering parents could inspire Butaleja’s young athletes to bring home trophies.
He also highlighted the broader benefits of sports, including stress relief and potential financial opportunities for talented participants. However, he urged teachers to ensure fairness and transparency in selecting athletes who will represent the district.
Meanwhile, the Butaleja District Secretary for Games and Sports, Aggrey Hyuha, revealed that 42 teachers have been selected from across the district to officiate at the national event in Tororo.
He called on district leaders to invest more in nurturing young talent to produce future stars who can follow in the footsteps of the late footballer Paul Hasule and netball player Farida Kadondi.
Hyuha further disclosed that he has taken steps to support promising sprinter Luka Hasahya by linking him to trials at Mandela National Stadium.
Hasahya, 17, a pupil at Bubali Primary School, previously made headlines after winning the 100-meter race at competitions in Kabale. However, he missed the opportunity to compete at an international athletics event in Brazil in 2023, reportedly due to a lack of facilitation.
Teachers describe Hasahya as a gifted athlete with immense potential, expressing optimism that with the right support, he can excel on bigger stages in the future.
As preparations intensify, stakeholders remain hopeful that a combination of talent, fair selection, and strong community backing will propel Butaleja’s young athletes to success at the national level.
