Commonwealth Games Association of Uganda officially launch schools’ spirit clubs’ initiative.

The Commonwealth Games Association of Uganda (CGAU) officially launched the schools’ spirit clubs’ initiative dubbed “Game Changer” at Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) headquarters in Lugogo, Kampala city on Saturday March 12.

The secretary general of CGAU Beatrice Ayiroku addressed the press, in the presence of Assistant secretary general, Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu, Yayiro Kasasa (chairperson of Talent Identification Commission) and two schools’ representatives, one from Kibuli SS and another from Mbogo High.

Through this initiative, students in Uganda are expected to live the Commonwealth Games Federation values (humanity, equality and destiny) and integrate them into their sports and daily lives, as a means of ultimately communicating the value of sports and physical activity.

The Commonwealth Games Federation has thus identified a total of 32 secondary schools from the four regions of the country as centers of excellence in sport and co-curricular activities.

This programme will call for special creativity from the students, and teachers will also undergo training on the Commonwealth values and guidelines of assessment of different participants from different schools. The dates for these events will be communicated soon.

A total number of 64 Physical Education teachers from the 32 schools under CGAU will be expected to participate in the training.

These teachers will create Commonwealth clubs and execute activities that cultivate awareness of the values, meaning they will be primarily responsible for disseminating this information to the students.

This project targets students aged 14 to 21 years who will be recognized and awarded with accolades as well as certificates of performance at the close of the project.

The annual recognition ceremony to the outstanding clubs in every region that will have caused impactful change in their schools and communities.

During the ceremony, clubs will also share experiences and key learnings to make themselves sustainable.

The criteria to select the best schools will be based on the number of children signed up by each school, creativity in disseminating Commonwealth values through sports to the students and the media presence (print, direct mail, websites and social media – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Snapchat). New outstanding talents will be identified as well as the evaluation questionnaire from each school together with the proof provided.

The talent identification commission of the Commonwealth Games Association will work closely with the different sports federations to structure and create pathways for the students with great talent and potential.

The project is part of the biggest plan to grow sports with the shared values.

Every 12th March, there will be celebrations to commemorate the Commonwealth Day.