Long-distance legend Moses Kipsiro has called on the government to prioritise scholarships and structured support for young athletes, particularly those with special needs.
His appeal came during the National Kids Athletics and Special Needs Learners’ Championship held in Kabale Municipality, where over 7,000 pupils from across Uganda, including learners from the northern region, gathered to showcase their talents.
Kipsiro, who visited the Kigezi sub-region for the championship, stressed the need for early identification and support of promising sports talent through the education system.
“I request the government to come in and identify some schools who can offer scholarships,” he said.
“This will help in talent identification so that as they continue shaping their talent, they are hopeful that they are getting somewhere.”
Reflecting on Uganda’s athletics history, Kipsiro described the journey over the past century as one marked by growth and inspiration.
“In 100 years, we have gradually developed the sport of athletics and the federation at large,” he said, noting his own contributions and those of his contemporaries in putting Ugandan athletics on the global map.
He also lauded Olympic gold medallist Joshua Cheptegei, calling him “one of the best runners in the world,” and citing his dominance across world championships and cross-country events as a source of national pride and motivation for young athletes.
Kipsiro believes that sustained government investment in grassroots sports will enable more children to embrace athletics and unlock their potential.
The Kabale event, which brought together pupils from 172 cities, districts, and municipalities, was a clear demonstration of the growing enthusiasm for athletics and the urgent need for institutional support.