The state-of-the-art facility, seated on 45 hectares at an altitude of over 2,500 meters above sea level, will cater for the training needs of athletes in Uganda and other countries.
The centre has amenities such as an athletic track, an artificial turf track, a field track, a hostel block, an external kitchen, as well as assorted equipment, among others, that cost over Shs 29 billion.
The President, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, on arrival, commissioned the facility and later inspected and toured the hostel, kitchen, and other structures.
They later met the athletes at the main track field with whom they had a cordial interaction.
President Museveni congratulated the sports fraternity for acquiring the state-of-the-art home that will produce competitive athletes of excellence in the world.
He gave a brief account on the genesis of the centre, highlighting the benefits of training in high-altitude areas.
“In sports, I am very glad that our people started doing well using their talents, the ones who started like Kiprotich.
The Sabiny man Koskei got a silver medal in 1970, and from that time, because of chaos, only Aki Bua had managed to get something in 1972, then no more,” he said.
“Because of the chaos, sports were no longer valued. But when these people started coming up, and then this issue also came up because I am a sportsman myself; I am a footballer. I said these people of ours who are born in the mountains and live in high areas have a natural capacity
which we should promote because here in the high altitude the lungs are more economical, they use less oxygen.”
President Museveni also underscored the benefit of training at high altitude, as it enhances the efficiency of the lungs.
“Training in high altitude is very good because oxygen here is less. If your lungs are using little oxygen, they are more efficient. So that is how this idea came up to build a school to train our own people and also attract others,” he asserted.
The President further pointed out that in spite of the many demands, the government readily agreed to support the construction of the center as it was unique.
“So, I am glad we have built it; now the track is good, but the accommodation needs to be improved. I have guided the contractors. This is really a goldmine; I am glad you have done it." Museveni stated.
Regarding setting up hotels in the area, an issue raised by the Minister of Water and Environment, Hon. Sam Cheptoris, President Museveni said the private sector will be called upon to invest in that area.
“For us, we have built the hostel, and I really want them to increase the capacity to more than 24 at a time. So I am very happy to be here to open the school,” the president said.
The Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo, commended President Museveni for the facility that she said has brought services near to the athletes who before used to cross to Kenya for training.
Maama Janet highlighted the genesis of the centre.
“The journey that has led us here today started a few years ago following the heroic exploits of our sons Moses Kipsiro and Stephen Kiprotich as they raised our flag on the global stage. Cognizant of the blessing of abundant talent in the Sebei region, the Ministry of Education and Sports commenced consultations with the Kapchorwa district local government to establish a modern sports facility for our athletes,” she said.
“President Museveni therefore decided to build the centre in appreciation and honor of Stephen Kiprotich, who won a gold medal in the London Summer Olympics in 2012.”
She also commended President Museveni for his unwavering support of the Ministry of Education and Sports.
“Today we are here because the President has delivered on his promise to support athletics. In a special way, I want to thank the President of the Republic of Uganda for his support not only for this project and other sports infrastructure projects that are currently being constructed but also the direct support he has continued to extend to the athletes,” she said.
“You are all aware that the President guided that our athletes be employed in the forces, so most if not all of them are employed by the Uganda Police, UPDF, and the Uganda Prisons Services.”
The First Lady also recognized in a special way the resilience of the athletes from the Sebei region who have consistently performed very well and raised the Uganda flag high in various championship tournaments even when the appropriate facilities were inadequate.
The event was attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, and cultural and religious leaders, among others.
