Kabaddi: President Hajjati Aminah Mukasa Reveals Next Plans After Lockdown Lift

Uganda Kabaddi Federation president Hajjati Aminah Mukasa Buyiinza is optimistic programs to mushroom Kabaddi sport country wide will resume shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown is lifted.

In March this year, businesses and sports came to hold in Uganda due to the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that has paralyzed the globe.

“We thank the government for the great efforts rendered to fight the spread of COVID-19 in Uganda and we encourage the entire public to follow guidelines of the ministry of health in this battle”, said Hajjati Aminah Mukasa Buyiinza.

“Immediately after the lockdown lift, there will be massive clubs training sessions as they prepare for Kabaddi Clubs and Beach Championships. Schools programs will also resume as soon as they reopen”. Hajjati Aminah Mukasa.

The federation also targets to use TV and Radio talk shows to edify more about the sport to the public in efforts to attract entrants.
“We call upon media partners to join us in the cause. Hopefully we shall engage more with the public through visual and oral demonstrations via TV and Radio talk shows”. She added.

Kabaddi is one of the most rapid growing games in the country. Despite the fact that its Federation is just three years old, it has managed to straighten out its gospel to different parts of a country in a structured systematic way and auspicious manner.

“Kabaddi is one of the youngest sports in the country which requires much resources to establish it’s roots. I call upon National Council of Sports (NCS) to financially support this baby. The world is into an economic setback but, but, we believe NCS can come in to lend a hand”, said the Federation president.

What’s Achieved in 3 Years
The Kabaddi Federation of Uganda set in motion in 2017 and is the central body for administration and promotion of the game in Uganda. It set the scene for by the World Kabaddi Federation, which drew breath in 1950.

Kabaddi’s gospel has been spread to different parts of the country. Through its mandate as a Federation, it has been in shape to systemize the First Edition of National Kabaddi Secondary Schools Championship which took place in June of 2019 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

In the same year (2019), the Federation Cup was held at Kati-Kati restaurant in Lugogo as Jakana Super Bullet emerged the eventual winners.

Teams came from different parts of the country such as Luwero , Masindi, Wakiso and Kampala. The Championship comprised of both Girls and Boys teams, Seven boys and Six Girls School teams registered to compete. By Sunset, Mulusa Academy was crowned First Edition Champions in Boys while St. Peters Kungu Secondary School took the accolade for the girls.

National Team (The Gladiators) Achievements
All National teams have got a nickname or brand name that is used to put one’s finger on it. The Uganda Men Kabaddi team is identified as the Gladiators while Uganda Women Kabaddi team is also identified as She Gladiators as a brand to promote Kabaddi with a gigantic image.

In 2018, a pre-eminent memorable National team match was held as the host the Gladiators lost to Kenya at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

In 2019, Uganda’s Gladiators took part in the East Africa Championship held in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Africa’s seed one Kenya won the championship as Uganda ranked second. Three countries who included Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania took participation.

Uganda also finished 6th in the Junior World Cup Championship held in Kish Islands, Iran. Iran and Kenya ranked 1st and 2nd respectively out of the 13 countries. The other countries in the championship were Bangladesh, Iraq, Denmark, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan, Kazakheministan, Bulgaria, USA and Poland.
Currently Uganda is ranked 2nd behind top seed Kenya in Africa. Other countries which play Kabadi onto the African continent include Cameroon, DR. Congo, Egypt, Algeria, Seychelles and Mali.

Future Plans Of The Federation After The Lockdown Is Lifted
The federation under the leadership of Hajjati Aminah Mukasa Buyinza and her Executive plans to extend it’s surface area to all parts of the country and her ploy penetration points are to groom youthful generations through Primary and Secondary Schools. Over 40 Schools in Uganda are actively rolling out the sport and the following activities are planed to be done.

• Massive training sessions to shape the mental and physical fitness of the players in preparation for Kabadi Clubs and Beach Championships.
• The federation plans creation of awareness to the public through heterogeneous TV and Radio talk shows.
• There will be continuity of the schools program as away to expand the sport to a very vibrant young age.

Origin Of The Sport
Kabadi is a contact sport that originated from an Ancient India and is one of the most sought-after games in Asia. The game is governed and played under rules of International Kabaddi Federation (IBK).

Kabaddi drew nigh on an international Map during South Asian Federation (SAF) Games held at the Bangladesh capital Dhaka (Dacca), North of the famous Buriganga River in 1985. Kabaddi later saw its major breakthrough in 1990 when it was included in Asian games during the 11th edition at Beijing, China.

Since then Kabaddi has been a regular game in the Indian games that requires both power and skill for its play. It’s a simple and inexpensive game and doesn’t require an elephantine playing area or any playing equipment.