MULTIPLE sport kit donations are being sent to Uganda to get “a second lease of life”, enabling hard-to-reach communities and young people to participate in sports and games.

This comes after a sports organisation confessed the sport scene in Uganda is “either dead or in a dire state”.

The aim is to encourage young people across Uganda to get involved and to see their country shine.

The donations were made by Salisbury Rugby Football Club (RFC) and Southampton FC Academy Network and will go towards a programme of development.

Andrew Byekwaso, CEO of Sports Uganda Ltd UK said: “Sports personalities that have risen through the ranks to win accolades at the national, regional, and international level have either been self-made or through an ‘accidental’ revelation to the sporting administration of the country and the specific districts they hail from.

“The state of sports infrastructure in all parts of Uganda is either dead or in a dire state.”

The mission is to drive the country into a competitive world of sports, games, and recreation.

Andrew added: “A simple thing like a football or rugby ball that we take for granted here in the UK is a rarity in Uganda for children and young people wanting to play sports.

“These donations will impact whole community and provide young people with the opportunity to display their skills and come together through sport.”

Jason Yarwood, youth development officer at Salisbury RFC, said: “Developing children’s rugby and making it as accessible as possible is a passion of mine.

“The Salisbury RFC board fully supports the drive to make rugby accessible for all. It is a great pleasure to donate equipment to the Sports Uganda cause.

“It is good that equipment we have used will get a second lease of life. We wish the Ugandan drive to make sport central to the way of life all the best for the future.”

The donated kit will benefit the Satellite Primary Schools Programme in Uganda.

Andrew thanked everyone who had given their time and resources freely and who had helped to bring this together.

More information about the Sports Uganda initiative can be found on their website.

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