Uganda: Kiryandongo Sports Development Program

Recruitment

As the first step towards implementing the Kiryandongo Sports Development Program (KSP), implemented by Real Medicine Foundation in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister and PeacePlayers International, interviews were conducted at RMF Uganda’s office to recruit head coaches and assistant coaches. A panel of five senior administrators was formed to interview candidates who expressed interest in the positions. At the end of the exercise, the required 16 candidates were successfully chosen: 8 head coaches and 8 assistant coaches. 10 of the coaches are refugees and 6 are from the host community.  
 
The recruitment exercise and interviews were conducted fairly, and opportunity was given to both refugees and nationals, men and women. Candidates were assessed for various qualities, including academic ability, social skills, and the ability to coach or mentor under all circumstance. Refugee candidates were especially excited to be given the opportunity to build their potential, and the expressions of joy on their faces indeed proved their words.  
 

Results and Accomplishments

Eight teams have been successfully recruited in the community, and we are currently using four fields located in different areas of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement: two fields in Ranch 1 and two fields in Ranch 37. There are two male teams and two female teams in each ranch. In consideration of our female players, their training is conducted in fields near their homes for easy access and additional safety. The trainings have been successful, and the coaches are doing an excellent job with the players.  
 
Accomplishments during the reporting period: 

• The teams have been provided with training equipment, including balls, cones, beeps, uniforms, and cleats, among others. This has led to easy identification during training and competitions. It has also attracted more participants to the program and created more confidence in the existing players. 

• 10 players, including both boys and girls, have been offered scholarships by Alliance Integrated Secondary School for their secondary education, while 1 student is on scholarship at Kigumba Intensive Secondary School. In this way, the program is providing an opportunity for talent exhibition. 

• The players have had 4 successes in competitions, both inside and outside Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. Playing and winning games with other teams is very motivational for the participants. 

• The team also managed to represent the whole of Kiryandongo in the Maendeleo Football Tournament. The under-17 boys took second place and were the only team that reached the finals from Kiryandongo District. The team received awards like balls and medals, which helped motivate the players. 

• Conducting formative meetings with the coaches helped to plan monthly activities and set monthly targets for the program, hence creating unity, togetherness, and success.

• Training continues to progress according to the planned schedule.  

Challenges

Limited playing fields: The current playing fields cannot accommodate all of the players. More fields are needed, and we are certain that the OPM can allocate land for this use. 

Since most of the players are students, they report late to the field because they have to go home first to get some food. It would be better if we provided a meal during training. Additionally, some of the participants don’t have food at home since the food rations for refugees have been cut by 50%.  

Boys’ under-12 team. Back home in South Sudan, players would probably feel they belong to rival tribes, but now in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, they are playing together as a team with one objective thanks to the power of sports.

Girls’ under-12 team ready for a training session. RMF promotes girls’ involvement in sports.

Boys’ under-17 team after winning second place at the Maendeleo Football Tournament.

Trophy that the team won during the Maendeleo Football Tournament