The Uganda Dancesport Federation (UDSF) General Secretary Barnabas Ssebuyungo urges athletes to always a void indiscipline acts such disappearance after the international events organized especially in Europe and America because this will lead to the banning of the country from participating in such events.
Ssebuyungo advised the athletes while addressing the journalist and the sport administrors who turn for a one day workshop he organized at London College Maya in Mpigi district on January 14, 2023.
He warned them about the strictness of the World Dancesport Federation (WDSF) the international body that governs the sport saying that it recently it banned countries and if Ugandan athletes are taken to internationals events and they disappear for greener pasture the country will be banned and others will lose the chance for some period of time.
“ I am very strict as a leader of the governing body of the sport because even WDSF is very strict this explains why as have not allowed even other administrators and journalist to travel for the international events because we need to first understand the rules and principles of the international governing body of the sport.“ Sebuyongo said.
He added on, “ now that two countries from Africa have been suspended Uganda has gotten a chance of qualifying for the Olympic Games which will be hosted by France in 2024.“
Uganda`s athletes have attendance of disappearing after the international event especially those hosted by developed European countries for instance there are some boxers who disappeared in German and recently weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko had disappeared in Tokyo, Japan before the end of 2020 Olympic games.
Ssebuyungo also revealed to journalist the Federation`s five year strategic plan were he said that he is looking at prioritizing improving governance, enhancing and strengthening financial sustainability, improving marketing strategies , increasing grass root competitions , national team development and developing infrastructure although this is a long term plan.
Dancesport is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and in the less than five years it has been able to grow membership of 337 members which are schools around the country with about 10,000 athletes.
The sport is currently spread in eight Uganda Dancesport regions across the country and because of its rapid growth; the Federation is prioritizing developing standardized facilities in the regions for competitions and has also made an application for a grant of US$ 600,000 which will be used to develop a fully fledged permanent home for the Federation.
According to Ssebuyungo, each school pays a subscription fees of UGX 500, 000 annually and this totals to UGX 180 million if no member has defaulted and this is the fund that he uses to run the federation`s activities in addition to the funds from government.
H e said that he managed to convince government to have topics of Dancesport put in the Physical Education subject for instance in the first and second level of learning as well as the rules of the rules of the game and this will help to create jobs in future for teachers and the learners who in future can became instructors if they don`t become athletes.
Government has given Ssebuyungo a contract to develop the reading materials of about 64000 in form of textbooks which will be distributed to governments schools around the country.
By George Bukenya