Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Government has lauded Team Uganda for exceptional performance in the recently concluded Olympics in France from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
Uganda emerged 55th out of 206 countries that participated in the Olympics, wherein Joshua Cheptegei won a gold medal in the 10,00-metre race while Peruth Chemutai won a silver medal in the 3,000 women’s steeplechase.
In Africa, Uganda that sent 25 sports men and women comprising of 21 athletes, two swimmers, a rower, and a cyclist, was ranked sixth after Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Algeria and Egypt.
The Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports), Peter Ogwang, said that Uganda’s individual athletes performed exceedingly well, registering season best, personal best and set national records which should be celebrated.
He was presenting a statement on the Olympics Games 2024, during plenary sitting on Thursday, 15 August 2024 with Team Uganda present in the distinguished Visitor’s Gallery.
“Joshua Cheptegei reinstated himself as Uganda greatest sportsman of all times winning 10,000m gold and set a new Olympics medal and he is the world record holder in 26.43.14,” Ogwang said.
He added that Peruth Chemutai becomes the third Ugandan to win medals at the 2024 Olympic events and also the second Ugandan to win gold and silver at second editions of the world biggest games.
“She is also the first and only Ugandan woman so far in history to win medals at the Olympics,” said Ogwang.
He added that government will fulfil a pledge of Shs100 million reward for gold medalist, Shs50 million for silver medalist and Shs30 million for bronze.
“I want to confirm that we are going to give this money to this individuals, the two who have won the medals because it is within our budget,” said Ogwang.
Julius Acon (NRM, Otuke East County) applauded government for improved investment in athletes, saying that such commitment boosts Uganda’s performance.
“I am very delighted to appreciate what Cheptegei and Chemutai did. I want to thank every team who made it to Olympics, to be in Olympics is not something very easy, looking at the population of the entire world,” Acon said.
Peruth Chemutai and a team mate at the front steps of Parliament Buildiing on Thursday, 15 August 2024
He, however, urged government to invest in other sport activities to increase the country’s chances to perform better.
“We can do much better in other disciplines, we lack other disciplines like diving, these African countries which were ahead of us won in other areas like diving,” Acon said.
Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, guided that the Bukwo District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Everlyn Chemutai, will present a motion, next week to appreciate the athletes.
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SOURCE: Uganda Parliament