The Sports Association of Ugandans in North America (SAUNA) and their partners Motherwell Sports Academy have organized a summer sports camp that will identify and develop the next generation of stars.

SAUNA acknowledges the critical role of young people in fostering creative and innovative solutions to current challenges, and in driving positive social change.

Our association rolls out activities that incorporate young people and empowers them to participate fully in promoting particular values in their communities. While utilizing sports as a platform, SAUNA supports youth development through physical education, physical activity, and career development.

Physical activity is vital to the holistic development of young people, fostering their physical, social and emotional health. The benefits of sport reach beyond the impact on physical well-being and the value of the educational benefits of sport should not be under-estimated.

It is against this background that SAUNA joined hands with Motherwell Sports Academy to organize a summer sports camp that will give holidaymakers (aged 6-14) a chance to improve their talent and life skills.

The camp was officially launched on Friday (December 5, 2024).

National Council of Sports (NCS) Assistant General Secretary-Administration Joseph Oluka, who was the chief guest during the launch, lauded the initiative that falls within the government’s ambitions of finding a mechanism for developing talent at an early stage.

“I want to thank the administration for this visionary dream so that the children use their holiday time profitably,” Oluka said.

“It is one thing to identify talent but another to nurture and develop it so that the shift of the mindset about sports should be seen clearly that it is not for leisure alone.

“We should be able to identify the exceptional ones, develop them and enable them to benefit economically; this is where the world is going through partnerships and collaborations,” Oluka stated.

He said strategically Uganda’s vision is going towards the commercialization of sports, which is why the government is planning to set up regional sports academies that will run both academic and sports programs.

The academy director, Mark Kayongo, thanked all the stakeholders for their support of the academy

“This academy is here to stay because we have bigger ambitions, and we want this academy to keep on growing. The outcome of this camp is to zero in on outstanding players who can help represent the country in the Mina Cup in Dubai next year.”