The Annual Disability Sports Gala is one of the key strategies we use to identify athletes at the grassroots level. This year’s 9th edition of the National Disability Sports Gala took place in Kabale District, located in the Kigezi sub-region in western Uganda.
The event began on September 23, 2024, at Kigezi Lower Primary School grounds. The first two days were dedicated to classification events for physically and visually impaired athletes. On the third day, the competitions kicked off with athletics and goalball.
This year, we introduced over 17 sports disciplines, including Judo for visually impaired athletes—a first for many. More than 279 athletes with different impairments participated, representing nine districts, four universities, and various institutions, including primary schools.
Kabale District’s RDC, Mr. Nyakahuma, praised the Ugandan government for promoting inclusiveness and ensuring no one is left behind. He also thanked the Uganda Paralympic Committee for choosing Kabale as the host and for advancing disability sports. He shared that this was his first time witnessing these sports and promised to fully support the para sports movement.
The event, which ran until September 28, is not only about talent identification but also raising awareness of disability sports, especially at the district level. This helps us build grassroots structures that support emerging talent at the local level.
One of the highlight for this year’s Gala was the two Paralympians, Oroma Peace and David Emong who competed in the just concluded Paralympic Games being part of the Techinical officials supporting the coaches and teaching and inspiring the the emerging talent. It was so important for them as well to be able to give back by working tirelessly to make sure that all athletes felt supports and heard.
And as for Kabale as a community, we saught for perception change and created awareness for disability sports in Kabale and all districts within Kigezi sub region.
Next Years Gala will take place in the central region and the district will be communicated as soon as possible.
