CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

STATEMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE IN

UGANDA
Dr. Sharad Sapra
Nakivubo Blue Primary School, Kampala, 21 August 2009
Welcome Remarks to Kampala Junior Team

Mr. Omara Apitta, Ag. Commissioner Physical Education and Sports, Ministry of
Education and Sports.

Mr. Jasper Aligawesa, General Secretary, National Council of Sports.

Mr. Mansoor Kabugo, Director, Kampala Junior Team.

Members of the Media. Ladies and Gentlemen. The children of KJT.

Let me begin by warmly welcoming back the Kampala Junior Team (KJT) from Oslo.

Heartiest congratulations, KJT, for a fantastic performance in the Norway Cup, and for

emerging 4th out of the 150 teams taking part in that prestigious international

tournament! And being named “best newcomers!” You all deserve a very loud

round of applause!

From Kisenyi to Oslo! I firmly believe what the KJT delegation has accomplished was

not only to let each of the boys on the team to fulfill his dream of playing the sport

they love at an international level, but also an inspiration for all children.
***

Sports and playing are important to UNICEF because they can play a powerful role in

empowering children and transforming their lives. They are vital to the health,

happiness and well-being of children and young people, and are enshrined in the

Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Uganda is a signatory. UNICEF works

with governments and civil society partners throughout the world to use sport-based

programmes to improve children’s lives and to strengthen communities through

every child’s right to play. And here in Uganda, as we have seen with this

partnership with TKL, this is no exception. That is why we were particularly proud

and honored that you, our young players, were able wear the KJT and UNICEF logo on

your jerseys when hitting the pitch.

***

Elsewhere in Uganda, UNICEF is promoting football, basketball and volleyball in 50

schools, as part of an effort to get children to go back to school and stay in school in

Lira District. During the decades of armed conflict in the north, when schools were

closed and entire communities displaced into camps, we provided recreation kits and

sponsored children’s teams in affected areas. Now, with peace achieved and

recovery underway, sport is an added incentive for children to go back to school.

In the northeastern region of Karamoja, we are supporting another project that

2
integrates sports with education and civic participation in the peaceful development

of communities.

You can see why, ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate KJT’s use of sports to unite

children, to encourage their mental and physical development. As we celebrate KJT’s

achievements today, let us also celebrate the power of sports – a normalizing and

equalizing force, where children from all backgrounds can compete. It builds team

spirit, school spirit and community spirit, and gives children a sense of belonging.

***

Parents, guardians, teachers and responsible citizens in communities, please

recognize the power of sports in contributing to the mental and physical

development of your girls and boys. Encourage your children to participate actively

in sports and recreational activities. It is their right, and it can contribute greatly to

their development.

We at UNICEF will continue to support KJT’s approach of using sports and playing to

develop children mentally and physically. I have brought with me three Recreation

Kits, each bearing sports and recreational materials. Each kit is designed to enable

90 children play at the same time, in a variety of team-sports like volleyball,

handball, skipping and basketball. It also contains some materials that sports

3
instructors can use as they guide the children along. I will hand these kits over to KJT

in a little while.

Kampala Junior Team. You have been our able ambassadors in Norway, attesting to

the power of sports and every child’s right to play. Let me take this opportunity to

say that you should all be very proud of yourselves.

Thank you.

# # #