Gov’t invites Olympics commentator who praised Uganda’s beauty

The Ministry of Education and Sports has extended an invitation to Rob Walker, a commentator who praised Uganda’s natural beauty during the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics games.

This was revealed by Hamson Obua, the Minister of State for Sports while appearing on the floor of Parliament, Wednesday.

Obua said that the Ministry had partnered with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to bring Rob Walker to the country, following his praise of Uganda's beauty during the Tokyo Olympics.

“The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education and Sports and Uganda Tourism Board have extended an invitation to Rob Walker, he proudly talked about Uganda’s beautiful features,” Obua told Parliament.

Rob Walker, the BBC senior commentator delivered a splendid commentary, following Peruth Chemutai’s win in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics.

As Chemutai was awaiting her gold medal, Walker remarkably said, “Uganda is one of the friendliest, most beautiful countries you can ever wish to visit.”

The comment attracted many Ugandans attention, including the State Minister for Education and Sports who was in Japan at the time.

The government will now give Walker a befitting welcome to the country, coupled with an official visit to various tourist destinations in the country, according to Obua.

In reaction to the news, Walker, on his Twitter platform accepted the offer and said that he is ready to come to Uganda as soon as tge situation allows him.

“I am absolutely delighted to accept the kind offer! It will be brilliant to come back to Uganda for the first time since 2017. I’m happy to help with anything to do with sport & education. As soon as it’s safe to travel again, I’m there!” Walker said in a tweet.

Nile Post understands that Walker has ever been to Uganda on a number of occasions, with the last one being in 2017 where he was a commentator in the IAAF world cross country championships.

About Rob Walker

Born on March 1975 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, Robert Joseph Walker is a British sports commentator, television presenter and freelance reporter, who has covered sports including tennis, snooker, darts, boxing, football, sailing and athletics for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Setanta Sports and the IAAF.

Since 2008 he has appeared in the role of master of ceremonies at major televised snooker tournaments, including the World Snooker Championship, where he uses the catchphrase “Let’s get the boys on the baize”.

He has also presented a highlights show at the World Championship for the last two years called Snooker on the Red, featuring on the BBC Red Button and has been host of the Global Snooker Awards.

He has presented Sailing for the BBC at the Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London, he has commentated on Biathlon, Ski Jumping and Cross Country Skiing for the BBC at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup he travelled around South Africa for the BBC reporting with his namesake Dan Walker on the BBC Bus.