In a bid to promote physical fitness and combat non-communicable diseases, the Sports for Social Development Commission of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) organized a three-day community instructors’ clinic at the Win 5 Hotel and Spa in Kampala City. The event themed “Active Communities” aimed to equip community physical trainers with the necessary skills and knowledge to promote physical activity in their respective communities.
The instructors’ training, which ran from Wednesday, April 19th to Friday, April 21st, 2023, attracted more than seventy-five participants, who successfully completed the interactive session that included both theory and practical parts. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Member, William Frederick Blick, opened the event officially, while the Uganda Olympic Committee President, Dr. Donald Rukare, graced the closure.
During the workshop, the participants were taken through various modules that covered physical activity, nutrition, and the do’s and don’ts of physical training. The instructors for the clinic were drawn from various fields, including Mr. Robert Ssebugwawo, a senior fitness instructor, Mr. Joseph Collins Ssemanda, sport and fitness consultant and Mr. Isma Iga, the Secretary for the Culture, Education and Olympic Legacy Commission from the UOC.
The chairperson of Sports for Social Development Commission, Simon Peter Komakech, emphasized the need to have as many community physical trainers as possible to promote physical fitness, combat non-communicable diseases and reduce stress.
At the end of the event, the UOC officially launched the Active Community Initiative, and the participants received certificates of participation and toolkits. The skills and knowledge acquired by the community physical trainers will go a long way in promoting active communities and reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases.