Uganda’s young table tennis stars had the rare privilege of meeting Hon. Barnabas Tinkasimire as they received their allowances of UGX 500,000 each, a momentous occasion that underscored the importance of sustained sports funding. The Member of Parliament, widely regarded as a steadfast advocate for national development, was commended for his role in ensuring that government funds reach sports federations, enabling young athletes to thrive. With the new school term approaching, this financial support came as a timely boost for the talented players representing the nation on continental and global stages.
While extending their gratitude to Parliament and the National Council of Sports (NCS) for prioritizing sports development, the table tennis fraternity also used the opportunity to highlight the urgent need for a permanent training arena. Despite receiving a commendable allocation of UGX 1 billion, the sport still grapples with infrastructural challenges that threaten its long-term sustainability. Stakeholders passionately pleaded for further recognition of NCS allocations, emphasizing that an adequately funded training facility would significantly enhance talent development and Uganda’s global competitiveness in table tennis.
Beyond their own needs, the table tennis leadership raised concerns about the dire financial situation faced by federations categorized under “Category 5” funding, who receive a meager UGX 10 million annually—a figure deemed grossly inadequate for any meaningful development. They called upon Parliament to ensure a fairer distribution of national sports funds, arguing that all sports bodies contribute to national pride and should be supported equitably. The disparity in funding, they argued, undermines the fundamental principle that all Ugandans contribute to tax revenues and should benefit proportionally.
In a broader call to action, the table tennis community urged Parliament to significantly increase NCS’s annual budget to at least UGX 20 billion. They stressed that without this financial reinforcement, the mother body remains incapacitated, unable to provide emergency assistance to federations in distress. Despite these pressing concerns, gratitude remained at the forefront, with hopes that the next financial year, commencing in July 2025, would bring forth a more equitable and robust funding framework for Uganda’s sporting landscape.
