Politics
Buoyed by excellence at the EAC Games, MP Onen moves to support young talent.
The just concluded East African Community Inter-Parliamentary games produced stars and affirmed the dominance of others in the history of the community’s interparliamentary games.
The event that started on the 06th of December and concluded on the 17th of the same month saw Uganda scoop big honors in the myriad of competitions. The competition ranged from football, netball, tug of war, golf, darts, volleyball, walk races, basketball, and athletics.
At the closing ceremony at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort in Mombasa, which was hosted by the Speakers of the Kenyan bi-cameral parliament, Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi, Uganda scooped over 20 gold medals and several silver and bronzes.
Margherita News caught up with the gold medalist in the 100 meters, 200 meters races and the 400 by 4 relays, Bernard Odoi Onen.
The Youth Member of Parliament for Eastern Uganda, was in exuberant spirit with his 4 gold medals, hanging proud in his neck.
“One is for the 100 meters win, another is for the 200 meters, this is for the 4*400 relay, and this is for the Tug of War.” He spoke as he pointed at them, basking in his glory.
“I am getting a crazy idea. I am thinking of competing professionally. So that I enter these international championships to represent Uganda.”
Onen’s confidence stems from his recurrent success from previous competitions, having won the same races in the 2023 Rwanda edition.
The Youth MP implored the youth of Uganda to harness their talents for various benefits.
“As a country, we can build the talent economy and reap big from it. We have got immense talent in the fields of football, athletics, and other sports like boxing. These successes showcased by the MPs are not an isolated case. Our population is a great pool of talent.”
He added, “many youths are making a life out of these talents.” The talent management market grew from 12.85 billion dollars to 14.18 billion dollars, according to internet sources.
On Talent Development
He also called upon the government to prioritize this sector to realise more from the country’s population.
“As a child of the street, I can see the great opportunity we have on the streets of this city and others across the country. If we empower these children and youth by building the requisite infrastructure and creating academies for them, we can uplift the Uganda out of poverty.”
In Nairobi, Onen met with the renowned athlete Ferdinand Omanyala, winner of the 100 meters in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and African Championships in Athletics.
Onen in the 400 by 4 relays
“Ferdinand and I had a very extensive discussion. He has a Foundation in Nairobi that identifies talent in Primary and Secondary schools, ghettos and streets and gives them exposure to modern training. Those who excel are supported academically, and given training opportunities at his academy, and in a partner academy in France.”
Onen says the two have built a partnership that will see the academy recruit talent from the countries of Uganda and Rwanda, on top of what it is doing in Kenya.
“The first audition in Kenya will be in October, Uganda will be in November of next year. So right from first term when our schools are having athletics, we will move around the country identifying sprinters, prepare them, and have professional transfers in November.”
He thanked President Yoweri Museveni for the tremendous effort in the sports development sector through building stadia and the Teryet high altitude training facility in Kapchorwa.
Additionally, “we are also lucky that the Chief of Defence Forces, who is the most popular leader after the president is interested in these talent development initiatives. As the leader of the emerging future, Uganda is sure of sports excellence,” said Onen, a diehard Muhoozi supporter.
On Raila AUC bid
In his media address after his victories, the MP, carrying a banner, implored the EAC Heads of State to work tooth and nail to make certain that Raila Odinga clinches the African Union Commission’s Chairmanship in the forthcoming election February 2025.
“Raila Amollo Odinga is one of the greatest Pan Africanists left on the continent. He has offered his life to the pursuit of the wellbeing of the people and the progress of the continent. On many occasions, he has advocated for African solutions to our problems, participated in peace missions, and the growth and development of our infrastructure.”
Onen opines that the 80-year-old has the requisite experience and tenacity to lead the continent to relevance in a period of war, climate change and food security challenges.
About the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games
According to the EAC website, the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games are “Organized annually by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the host partner state, the event enhances interaction among EALA members, partner state parliaments, and EAC citizens. This year’s event was co-sponsored by Kenya Ports Authority, County Government of Mombasa, The Agha Khan Academy, Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Mchezo Ltd, and East African Breweries Ltd.”
The EAC-IPG was established by a resolution of the 4th EAC Bureau of Speakers held in 2009, with the aim to build relations between the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Parliaments of the Partner States of the East African Community.
