Pallisa, Uganda: Mbale College of Health Sciences emerged overall winner of the 7th Eastern Region Health Institutions Games and Sports Competition hosted by Agule Institute of Health Sciences and Management in Pallisa District.
The week-long competition brought together health training institutions from across eastern Uganda in athletics, woodball, basketball, badminton and other sporting disciplines ahead of the national championships scheduled to take place at Gulu College of Health Sciences.
While announcing the final results during the closing ceremony and medal presentation, Eastern Region Health Institutions Games and Sports Chairperson Kwabo Allan Michael congratulated participating institutions for nurturing talent and helping identify athletes who will represent the region at national level.
Kwabo, however, criticised institutions that failed to participate, saying their absence denied students an opportunity to showcase their talents and weakened the region’s preparations for national competition.
He revealed that institutions including Life Spring Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda School of Nursing and Midwifery, Elgon School of Nursing and Midwifery, St Peter’s School of Nursing and Midwifery-Kapchorwa and Tororo College of Health Sciences would each face a Shs5 million fine for failing to participate.
“Participants have been denied the chance to display their talents and the best athletes cannot be identified to represent the region,” Kwabo said.
Mbale College of Health Sciences secured the championship after collecting 15 gold medals, six silver and five bronze medals.
Defending champions Mbale School of Hygiene finished second with 14 gold, 16 silver and six bronze medals, while Salem School of Nursing came third with four gold, six silver and six bronze medals.
Alice Amune School of Nursing and Midwifery finished fourth with three gold, eight silver and 13 bronze medals, while hosts Agule Institute of Health Sciences and Management settled for fifth place with three gold, four silver and seven bronze medals.
In athletics, School of Hygiene dominated the boys’ track events through standout performances from Kiprop Daniel Mark, Kibeti Ronald Merefu and Okoboi Denis, while Salem School of Nursing topped the girls’ athletics category.
Kwabo applauded Agule County MP David Ochwa, who is also executive director of Agule Institute of Health Sciences and Management, for hosting the competition and ensuring proper welfare for visiting teams.
However, Agule Institute sports tutor Fred Wakuma said failure to participate in seven disciplines including badminton, woodball, basketball and scramble affected the host institution’s medal tally.
“Next year we shall ensure that all disciplines are fully participated in so that we can improve our medal collection and emerge champions,” Wakuma said.
Among individual athletes, Omadodo Emmanuel from Agule Institute, who excelled in the 100m, 200m and 400m races, said he would concentrate on the 200m and 400m ahead of the national championships to avoid exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Prossy Talunga from Salem School of Nursing, who emerged best in discus, attributed her success to discipline and mastering proper throwing techniques.
“Most participants fail to make points because of poor throwing skills, which is very frustrating,” Talunga said.
Betty Imagoro from Mbale School of Hygiene, who was crowned best female woodball player, expressed confidence of winning at national level in Gulu.
Speaking as chief guest, MP Ochwa hailed the Ministry of Education and Sports for allowing Agule Institute to host the competition, saying the event boosted business activity in the area due to the influx of more than 1,500 participants and supporters.
“This competition benefited the business community of Agule. Institutions that failed to participate should join next time because paying fines and disappointing students is unfortunate,” Ochwa said.
He also praised the NRM government for supporting sports development and talent identification across schools and communities.
“I am proud of the NRM government for opening opportunities for talent development, even in neglected mind games which continue to unite communities,” he added.
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